hohosaregood
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I think he should go back mainly for strength and conditioning reasons but it's not like he couldn't do that as a pro. Same with improving the defensive side of things.
C Will Smith - Boston College, NCAA (2023, 4th, SJS)
- Thread starter GermanSpitfire
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sigx15
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BC is expecting him to return but we all know how much can change between now and the beginning of next year
I could see him struggling his first year, similar to how Hughes did. They play a similar style that will take some time to get rolling against NHL defenders and schemes. I do think Smith has erased any doubt as to his status as an elite prospect.
Stewie Griffin
What the deuce
Yeah and he obviously doesn't have the skating as Hughes. Which would make him look even worse.
Stewie Griffin
What the deuce
3 point game. 54 in 32.
18 game point streak.
18 game point streak.
coooldude
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- Jul 25, 2007
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Finished the regular season strong last night with 1 nice short-handed snipe showing his quick release, and two primary assists. One was a great play to seal the boards, quick hands to stall for a second while his defenseman crashed to the middle of the ice, solid if unspectacular feed to him for the high slot finish. Smith still made the play. And Gauthier's goal was a very slick no look pass by Smith through traffic for a relatively simple back door goal.
Overall for the shifts I watched he was less sluggish today and a bit more active in the forecheck. He's definitely dangerous on the PP from the half boards as a shooter or passer.
He's second in PPG to Macklin I believe. Will be fun to watch how the NCAA tourney unfolds.
Overall for the shifts I watched he was less sluggish today and a bit more active in the forecheck. He's definitely dangerous on the PP from the half boards as a shooter or passer.
He's second in PPG to Macklin I believe. Will be fun to watch how the NCAA tourney unfolds.
sigx15
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2 goals tonight already, this one was an absolute snipe
Outside of a couple rallies, BC is making BU look like children.
Lou Sassole
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William H Bonney
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coooldude
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I, too, scored a meaningless empty net goal in a night game this week.
No difference at all to Smith's 4th.
No difference at all to Smith's 4th.
William H Bonney
Registered User
MVP of the Hockey East tournament. Well deserved.
It's a good thing Smith hasn't met Joe Thornton yet or that 4th goal might have been a lot more explicit.
Stewie Griffin
What the deuce
William H Bonney
Registered User
He's in a win-win situation. He has the skill and IQ to play in the NHL now, even if it'll come with some growing pains that would be minimized with another college season. Or he could return to a BC team that will likely be loaded again next year with an opportunity to win another WJC gold and make another run at an NCAA championship. And while he'd probably destroy college hockey on the score sheet in a sophomore season, he could still improve his conditioning, strength, etc. to minimize some of the NHL growing pains. And if the upcoming Four Nations and Olympics don't motivate more NHLers to show up for the World Championships, he could easily play in the next 2 of those, too.
He was the clear 5th best prospect in the 2023 draft, went 4th and is still somehow a steal for SJ?? He’s going to be a ppg star number 1 C for a long time!
coooldude
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Sounds like Perreault is leaning stay. Depending on how they do at the tourney there may be unfinished business for all three of them, and the chance to keep working on strength and conditioning in a good developmental environment.
Then again, there are millions to be made and if they do win the tourney, maybe Smith (and Leonard) take the next step.
William H Bonney
Registered User
Yeah, I think the tournament is going to be a huge factor. If they don't take home the NCAA title it wouldn't surprise to see two Mass kids stick around to run it back again next season.
Jargon
Registered User
It definitely doesn’t sound him turning pro is out of the question. From Todd Marchant, our head of player dev:
"It's a conversation we'll have to have with him, his family, and coaches," Marchant said. I'll use an Anaheim player, Trevor Zegras. He went to BU for one year and then turned pro, and he's a pretty good NHL player. It's not uncommon for these guys to be able to do that."
"It's a conversation we'll have to have with him, his family, and coaches," Marchant said. I'll use an Anaheim player, Trevor Zegras. He went to BU for one year and then turned pro, and he's a pretty good NHL player. It's not uncommon for these guys to be able to do that."
coooldude
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He's gotten better post WJC, where he led the tournament in FO%. Still an area to work on.
Juxtaposer
Outro: Divina Comedia
I wouldn’t say he’s considered strong right now, but he’s improved a ton from the beginning of the year and shows a lot of promise that he could be legitimately good at it in five years.
sigx15
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It’ll be interesting to see what he decides to do. I certainly don’t think it’ll hurt him to go back to BC for another year. There have been very few kids if any who I've said to myself, man staying for another year in school really hurt their development.
He wouldn’t be going back to get better offensively, it’d be to get stronger, faster and better defensively. Gauthier took a big leap in all 3 areas this year, it’d help Smith too. Could he go to San Jose and play next year, sure. Would he get to kill penalties, match up on the other teams first line, play in all situations, improve at faceoffs and put on another 5-10lbs of muscle? Probably not
