Should Will Smith Start On The Wing?

As training camp continues and things have started to clarify on the roster, one of the bigger questions remains.

Where does Will Smith play?

Unless Smith has a disastrous final week of training camp, he will start the season with the San Jose Sharks. But where in the lineup?

The Sharks have been playing him at his natural center position to start training camp. On Tuesday's game against the Anaheim Ducks, he played with Fabian Zetterlund and Barclay Goodrow. While Goodrow is expected to lineup as a bottom-six player, these are two NHL-caliber players with Smith.

Will Smith had an ok night. He showed some of his patient passing and creativity with the puck but had some issues off the puck and with some pacing. These are normal issues for a young player, especially when transitioning from the NCAA to the NHL. College hockey is typically played at a slower pace, emphasizing structure over pace. (Side note: Macklin Celebrini is not a normal person and looks to be ready to take on a full role as a center)

This is not to say Will Smith won't be able to adapt, but as he transitions to be an NHL player, should head coach Ryan Warsofsky have Smith start the season on the wing?

Having Smith start on the right wing would allow him to focus on playing hockey with fewer defensive responsibilities. Smith made his best plays while on the wing, creating passes for Tyler Toffoli.

With Smith playing on the wing, he can focus mainly on what's in front of him instead of what's around him as a center. This should open Smith up to playing more reactionary hockey and playing freely.

This is where Mikael Granlund comes in. Granlund would give Smith another player maker on the line and allow Smith to play the William Eklund role of a combined creator and scorer from last year. While not an outstanding faceoff man, Granlund would also help take some responsibilities from Smith. Smith posted a 33% faceoff wins in 12 chances on Tuesday.

Once Smith feels comfortable, he can slide back to center at any point. With the increased flexibility the Sharks have in their forwards and the additions of Alex Wennberg and Macklin Celebrini, the Sharks can let Smith slide into an NHL role on the wing and grow into his role as a center.