At the conclusion of last season, multiple reports claimed that San Jose Sharks top prospect Will Smith was uninterested in joining the NHL. Instead, Smith was planning to return to Boston College for his second season. Today, it seems like that is no longer the case as Smith is reportedly nearing a contract with a team.
Smith who turned 19 in March was selected 4th overall in 2023. In his first year at Boston College, he scored 25 goals and added 46 assists for an astonishing 71 points in just 41 games. At the world juniors, he also scored four goals and added five assists in seven games.
Many consider Smith to be nearly NHL ready and the type of player that San Jose will look to build around over the coming years. Smith is considered a highly gifted puckhandler and a human highlight reel by many. He has the ability to turn nothing situations into something and is considered a very special prospect.