Burning Questions For the 2025-26 Season: Will Smith

With the 2025-26 season now in sight, the plan is to address the burning questions surrounding every player on the roster (or competing for a roster spot). These questions are focused on how the player is expected to contribute to the Sharks this season and what their role will be.

Will Smith
6'0" 181lbs
20 years old
2023 1st round pick

Last Season

San Jose Sharks
74 games, 18 goals, 27 assists, 15:51 TOI

It was a tale of two halves for Will Smith. He started the season on a minutes restriction with no back-to-backs and development days built into his schedule as the Sharks worked on the transition from Boston College to the NCAA. Smith started the season with six goals and nine assists while playing 14:18 a night in his first 40 games. Many were concerned about how the Sharks were utilizing Smith and the healthy scratches for development, and more thought Smith should spend time in the AHL.

The second half saw Smith score 30 points (12 goals and 18 assists) while playing 17:40 a night. Only Celebrini (31 points) scored more points in that time for the Sharks. His move to the wing really opened up Smith's game, as well as playing on the same line as Macklin Celebrini, unlocked what Will Smith could become.

Burning Question

Is a breakout all but inevitable?

When the Sharks drafted Will Smith with the fourth overall pick, the talent was undeniable, but there were questions about whether he'd be a center in the NHL. With the addition of Michael Misa, Smith can focus on doing what he does best. Drive play and create offense.

As weird as it sounds, a Smith breakout most likely hinges on whether Misa can stick at 2C. Smith and Celebrini showed insane chemistry last season, and the two budding superstars are expected to be on the same line this year. If both take the anticipated steps, the sky is the limit for them in terms of production. Even if Smith plays at the .88 points per game that we saw at the end of the year, that would be a 72-point season for Smith, almost a 30-point jump from year one to two.

The hope is that the Sharks will see improvement throughout the team, including a more efficient power play and better game scripts, which will allow Smith to push for a potential point-per-game season.

If Misa struggles at 2C and/or goes back to Saginaw, it could force Smith to move back to center. This could lead to a somewhat steep learning curve for him as he continues to master the nuances of playing the pivot in the NHL. He struggled with it last year as he navigated his rookie season, and the expectation is that he'd eventually get the hang of it, but it could delay the breakout until he does.

Expectations

Michael Misa wins the 2C out of camp and sticks, allowing Will Smith to remain on Macklin Celebrini's wing. Celebrini and Smith start what will be a decade-plus-long rampage as one of the best line combinations in the NHL. Smith flirts with a point per game season as a 20-year-old and signs a massive extension this offseason.

If so, he can finally pay for S.J. Sharkie's mounting legal fees and medical bills.