Sharks forward Will Smith didn’t get a long-term deal across the finish line before the September 15 deadline, but he doesn’t sound rattled by it.
Late last week, Smith told reporters including Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now that he’s not worried about where negotiations stand. Sharks GM Mike Grier gave the same basic message, saying talks are expected to continue during the season. Smith is coming off a strong sophomore campaign in which he scored 24 goals and added 35 assists in 69 games, and if he keeps climbing the way many expect from the fourth overall pick in 2023, a new contract with a double-digit AAV could be waiting for him heading into 2027-28.
In Los Angeles, Mats Zuccarello has been working in a non-contact jersey lately, according to Zach Dooley of LA Kings Insider. The veteran is dealing with a minor shoulder injury, and head coach Peter Laviolette said the team is taking the cautious route before letting him back into contact work.
That likely keeps Zuccarello on the sidelines for most, if not all, of the preseason, but he still appears on track to be ready for the season opener. Last season with Minnesota, he posted 15 goals and 39 assists in 59 games.
Anaheim is also dealing with a couple of injury questions as opening night approaches. Derek Lee of The Hockey News reports that defenseman Drew Helleson will miss the next week with a lower-body injury, while winger A.J.
Greer is likely facing the same timeline because of an upper-body injury. It remains unclear whether either player will be cleared next week, though both are hoping to return, with Greer seeming less likely.
Helleson has a shot to earn a larger role on the Ducks’ blue line this season after several departures, while Greer was brought in this summer to add more grit to the bottom six.
In Other News...
Ducks Just Created A New Leadership Debate At The Worst Time
The Ducks finally settled their captaincy question by turning to Mikael Granlund, a veteran center whose track record and experience fit a club trying to steady itself through a noisy offseason. It is a notable step for a team that has spent the summer dealing with salary cap complications and a roster that has already changed in meaningful ways, leaving the front office with more than one leadership issue to sort out.
Tyler Yaremchuk and Carter Hutton both framed the move as a sensible one for a team in transition, the kind of choice that can help anchor a young room while the bigger picture keeps shifting around it. Still, the timing only adds to the sense that Anaheims leadership picture is being shaped by events beyond the ice, and the next phase will be watching how the group responds as the roster continues to take form. [Read more 🡒]
Revamped Gulls Camp Could Shape The Ducks Next Wave
The San Diego Gulls opened 2026-27 training camp at Poway Ice with a fresh look and a familiar challenge: trying to turn a revamped roster into something that can again matter in the playoff race. The group arrives with a new coaching staff and a younger cast, but there is still a real sense of continuity around the veterans expected to steady the room and set the tone on the ice.
Ryan Carpenter is back to guide the group, with Matthew Phillips among the returning players expected to help the younger skaters adjust to the daily demands of pro hockey. After last seasons playoff appearance, the Gulls are trying to do more than simply get back to the postseason, and how quickly this new mix comes together could end up shaping the Ducks next wave of depth options. [Read more 🡒]