Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
The debate happens every year about which NHL teams should loan their U-20 players to the world juniors.
We’re getting to that time of year, and there’s one enticing player in particular who is worth a closer look.
Established NHL players, such as Connor Bedard, Leo Carlsson and Macklin Celebrini, were and are obvious exceptions. Their NHL teams don’t want to lose them.
Other players, such as Matthew Poitras, Dylan Guenther and Barrett Hayton, were all NHL players loaned out for the annual U-20 spectacle in recent years.
Six players who played NHL games this season are eligible for the 2025 World Junior Championship. Philadelphia Flyers prospect Jett Luchanko and Colorado Avalanche center Calum Ritchie got a few NHL games to start the season, but their teams sent them back to the OHL. They’re expected to be big pieces for Team Canada at the tournament.
The Buffalo Sabres did not lend Zach Benson last year, so it makes sense that he won’t be on Team Canada this year. The last two first-overall picks, Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard, are arguably their team’s best players, so they’ll stay put.
That leaves San Jose Sharks center-right winger Will Smith as the lone player with a realistic shot at being loaned out – and there’s no guarantee that it will happen. Whether he should be loaned out or not is a good question. There is value to both sides of the argument.
The Sharks will certainly benefit in the short term from keeping Smith around, as he’s one of their more offensively creative players. Smith hasn’t been a consistently effective offensive presence, with two goals and three points in 13 games. But the fourth-overall pick in 2023 has shown some flashes of the elite playmaking ability that made him a Boston College star.
Will Smith HEATIN' UP 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rA4Up22V5j
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) November 1, 2024
Smith has shown the ability to dominate against junior-aged competition, time and time again. He was the NCAA’s leading scorer last season, playing against players in their early 20s for the most part, so going back to playing U-20 players wouldn’t be a challenge, exactly.
He was also with Team USA last year when they won the gold medal, putting up nine points in seven games. While he wasn’t the focal point of the team, he did an excellent job of providing some dynamic depth scoring.
That said, he didn’t dominate last year, which could help his case of returning to the world juniors. Sending him would allow him to reunite with former BC teammates Ryan Leonard (Washington, eighth overall in 2023) and Gabe Perreault (Rangers, 23rd in 2023). He would likely be part of the leadership group and the tournament-scoring race, starting with the American trio. Smith would be poised to win the scoring title and likely go into the event as the favorite to win MVP.
Having Smith join the American team would instantly make them a favorite to repeat as champions, giving him a reprieve from the losing and monotony of the Sharks sitting near the league basement.
Will Smith (SJS), my goodness. What a snipe. 3-2 USA #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/7YEvo6q4FB
— Ryan Sikes (@ryan_sikes10) December 21, 2023
The most damning piece of evidence that sending Smith to the World Junior Championship may be the right choice is his NHL tape. He just looks a little bit behind. His confidence isn’t quite there. His creativity and pace are sometimes issues, which are generally his game’s strengths. Going to the world juniors could help renew his confidence. We’ve seen in the past just how much a strong tournament can help kickstart a wicked second half for players.
As of now, it seems quite unlikely that the Sharks will lend Smith to USA Hockey for the World Junior Championship. But things change quickly in the world of hockey. A “not a chance” today doesn’t necessarily mean that the answer will be the same in a couple of weeks.
Smith is clearly a talented player, and San Jose wants him to be a massive part of their future. But at this point, it’s evident that the NHL is a bit over his head. The AHL may be a spot for him to continue his development at some point this season if the Sharks want to get him away from the NHL, but why not use the world juniors as an opportunity to do the same?
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News Summary:
- World Juniors: Should The Sharks Lend Exciting Rookie Will Smith To Team USA?
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