Important development regarding a possible selection of Hughes and the CH in the 2023 NHL Draft
PUBLICATION
MarcOJanuary 15, 2023 (12:24)
While all eyes are rightly on the 2023 National Hockey League Draft for Connor Bedard, and on a smaller scale, for the very promising Adam Fantilli, it is important to remember that there are several other solid prospects available.
Remember, of course, that the CH is likely to have two early first round picks, and you have to look at the other youngsters available.
So today we're talking about Will Smith, who is ranked as the third best skater available in North America according to NHL Central Scouting, behind Bedard and Fantilli.
Check out some information on the youngster:
Sam Cosentino - Sportsnet: "The brain and feet work very well together to allow him to continually play at a high rate."
Austin Garret: "Will Smith, in the offensive zone with the puck on his stick, is a defenseman's worst nightmare of ankles. His ability to use his small-zone skills to get through and around defensemen is one of the best in the draft (and in recent years)."
Corey Pronman - The Athletic: "He has a lot of individual talent and he's a good skater. So he's able to beat defensemen one-on-one and he's constantly creating for his teammates."
Scott Wheeler - The Athletic: "Smith is one of the best passers in the draft and has an impressive puck-handling ability to dodge defenders."
Austin Garret: "Will Smith, in the offensive zone with the puck on his stick, is a defenseman's worst nightmare of ankles. His ability to use his small-zone skills to get through and around defensemen is one of the best in the draft (and in recent years)."
Corey Pronman - The Athletic: "He has a lot of individual talent and he's a good skater. So he's able to beat defensemen one-on-one and he's constantly creating for his teammates."
Scott Wheeler - The Athletic: "Smith is one of the best passers in the draft and has an impressive puck-handling ability to dodge defenders."
In short, he's excellent offensively and that's very encouraging. Will Smith, 17, is racking up incredible stats this season:
- 22 goals and 59 points, in 32 games, for USDP
- 15 points in 9 games in the USHL (projected for 70 points in 42 games).
There's another interesting thing to know about him:
"Regarding Will Smith as a potential Montreal Canadiens selection around the #6 overall pick, Kent Hughes was Will Smith's coach with the Boston Junior Eagles.
Kent knows this American crop VERY well."
Kent knows this American crop VERY well."
Wow, interesting! Obviously, the CH management will do a professional and extremely thorough job on each of the prospects, but know that the Tricolore's general manager knows the very promising Will Smith well.
A name to keep in mind!
Previously on HabsFanatics
| POLL | ||
15 JANVIER | 6 ANSWERS Important development regarding a possible selection of Hughes and the CH in the 2023 NHL Draft Which one do you prefer after Bedard and Fantilli? | ||
| Leo Carlsson | 3 | 50 % |
| Matvei Michkov | 3 | 50 % |
| Dalibor Dvorsky | 0 | 0 % |
| Will Smith | 0 | 0 % |
| List of polls | ||
Latest 10 stories
