Prospect Info: 2023 draft 4th overall Will Smith

[LadyStanley]

Since no one started thread earlier..



Bunch o' links for Smith










Sharks' NHL Draft 2023 picks, analysis and fits
Pronman analysis


Rapping Fresh Prince

Will Smith (@_willsmith2) • Instagram photos and videos

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[StanleyCup2035]

Poster credit for my thread Sharks tank miss, now we get Smith

 

[Shark Finn]

Just about as expected as it could have been for me. Not necessarily disappointed. I wish we could have landed Fantilli, though. Smith over Michkov makes a ton of sense due to Michkov's situation - you can really influence Smith's development better. And with Mickhov dropping to 7th other teams most likely had the same thought process. I really hope he actually develops into a center and doesn't turn into a winger.

Poster credit for my thread Sharks tank miss, now we get Smith

Surely, credit given! I wish my two dreams of Carlsson had come true, though.

 

[hotcabbagesoup]

He's got a pretty big butt but his frame is pretty small. Hoping he learns to lift weights in college. Get up to Crosby's speed and he'd be golden. Strong base, hard to knock off the puck.

 

[Great Makohead Shork]

He seems genuinely excited to be a Shark, which is awesome. Looks like I'm gonna be watching some Eagles games this year

 

[Bizz]

seems like a character guy that will be popular in the community as well. Been a while since we drafted someone like that, probably the last one I can think of is Hertl.

I may have some gripes about his game, but his demeanor and how he handles himself in interviews was pretty impressive.

 

[tahoesharksfan]

I think he was certainly the BPA at that spot. Hopefully he lives up to expectations!

I was hoping for Carlsson, thank you Noah Gregor…

 

[hotcabbagesoup]

I think he was certainly the BPA at that spot. Hopefully he lives up to expectations!

I was hoping for Carlsson, thank you Noah Gregor…

lol thank you noah gregor

such a great meme from last season

 

[timorous me]

I think he was certainly the BPA at that spot. Hopefully he lives up to expectations!

I was hoping for Carlsson, thank you Noah Gregor…

Who knows--I think there's a very real chance that Smith ends up the better player between him and Carlsson. Where would everyone put those odds? 33% chance, maybe?

 

[karltonian]

Well he's as tall as Patty so that's nice

I get passing on Michkov, as much of a painful one that might be if he does pan out. With all the terrible breaks the Sharks have been through leading up to us being where we are now, we really could not afford another one when a less risky 1C prospect was in front of us.

Imagine the mediocrity we'd be mired in if he never came over for whatever reason.

 

[OrrNumber4]

Well he's as tall as Patty so that's nice

I get passing on Michkov, as much of a painful one that might be if he does pan out. With all the terrible breaks the Sharks have been through leading up to us being where we are now, we really could not afford another one when a less risky 1C prospect was in front of us.

Imagine the mediocrity we'd be mired in if he never came over for whatever reason.

How many times has the Michikov panned out, and how many times has he not?

 

[Bizz]

Who knows--I think there's a very real chance that Smith ends up the better player between him and Carlsson. Where would everyone put those odds? 33% chance, maybe?

Carlsson = Getzlaf
Fantilli = Tavares
Smith = Horvat

Smith was clearly the weakest center of the 3 (which is why I wasn't a fan of the pick), but they were both gone by that point so what can you do.

 

[ThorNton Apologist]

Carlsson = Getzlaf
Fantilli = Tavares
Smith = Horvat

Smith was clearly the weakest center of the 3 (which is why I wasn't a fan of the pick), but they were both gone by that point so what can you do.

These comparisons are hilarious… Smith is nothing like Horvat style or ceiling wise

 

[tiburon12]

Poster credit for my thread Sharks tank miss, now we get Smith

if only your previous prediction (old username) could come true

 

[tiburon12]

How many times has the Michikov panned out, and how many times has he not?

too hard to assign comparables, honestly. Are you talking a high-talent player who had issues that tanked his draft stock? Or are you talking Russian players signed to contracts?

 

[OrrNumber4]

too hard to assign comparables, honestly. Are you talking a high-talent player who had issues that tanked his draft stock? Or are you talking Russian players signed to contracts?

The former. Kopitar is the premier example of the player planning out. I suppose PK Subban as well...

 

[Le Rosbeef]

As much as I loved Michkov, this was the right pick.
So was Musty.

Very pleased so far.

 

[Roasted Nuts]

These comparisons are hilarious… Smith is nothing like Horvat style or ceiling wise

A more accurate comparison for Smith would be a slow Marner according to HFboards analysts.

 

[tiburon12]

The former. Kopitar is the premier example of the player planning out. I suppose PK Subban as well...

The CBJ Kopitar draft story is a great one. Classic old-boy overthinking.

But i feel like the issues with Michkov were more about what wasn't known rather than what was; every bit of info was 2nd hand. Different than Subban or Merkley or Lambert

 

[Patty Ice]

As much as I loved Michkov, this was the right pick.

I still believe that Michkov was the right pick ultimately but understand the reasoning behind taking Smith over him. He is the one player that you could make that case with.

The Flyers took my draft for the Sharks so I'll be able to see how I did somewhat

 

[Hodge]

It's entirely possible Michkov didn't want to play for us. Between that, the contract, the character concerns and the prospect of spending more high end draft capital on a small winger, I understand passing on him.

I would have been fine with any of Smith, Reinbacher, Leonard or Dvorsky at this pick. I think Smith has a great chance to be at least a Nick Schmaltz level player which is nothing to sneeze at considering Schmaltz has averaged nearly a point per game in Arizona the past two years. We will likely continue to be terrible for the foreseeable future and accumulate more high picks. Smith is just one piece of the rebuild.

 

[spintops]

Michkov could have told MG he wouldn't play in SJ and posters would still be mad we didn't take him.

 

[NiWa]

One thing that is nice with Smith is that he shoots right. We do need that.

 

[Shark Finn]

Michkov seems to be a bit of a problem child. A kid about to be drafted should be happy to get drafted, no matter where. Time will tell how he will react when things do not go his way.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

Good pick. Even though Michkov is highly regarded, we got one of the best offensive players in the draft with the potential to be a 1C if he figures things out. We got a player excited to be drafted and play for us, and our best prospect in a LONG time.

Smith and Eklund will be tons of fun to watch for years, and a great start to our future core.