Will Smith Steps Out of the Shadow with Electrifying Performance Against Utah
For much of the early NHL season, the spotlight in San Jose has burned brightest on Macklin Celebrini - and for good reason. The 2024 No. 1 overall pick has been nothing short of electric, drawing Calder Trophy buzz and establishing himself as one of the league’s most exciting young stars. But on Monday night, in a 6-3 win over the Utah Mammoth, it was another Sharks rookie who grabbed the mic and made a statement of his own.
Will Smith, the 2023 No. 4 overall pick and Celebrini’s longtime friend, unleashed a jaw-dropping goal that might just find its way into the conversation for Goal of the Year. It was the kind of moment that reminds you why San Jose was so high on him in the first place - and why his story is just getting started.
Let’s rewind a bit. Smith’s rookie campaign didn’t launch with the same fireworks as Celebrini’s.
By mid-January last season, Smith had just six goals and 15 points through 39 games. He was also being held out of back-to-backs for what the organization called “development days,” a clear sign that they were taking a slower, more deliberate approach with his transition to the NHL.
Add to that the fact that he was shifted from his natural center position to the wing just a month into the season - a move that can be tough on any young player trying to find his rhythm - and it’s easy to see how Celebrini’s meteoric rise could have overshadowed Smith’s more gradual progress.
Meanwhile, Celebrini hit the ground running. Through 35 games, he had already racked up 13 goals and 32 points, putting him firmly in the Calder conversation and leaving little doubt about his NHL readiness. There was no talk of “development days” for him - just highlight reels and box score dominance.
But through it all, Smith never showed a hint of resentment. Despite the natural comparisons - and the fact that they’re close friends - Smith has kept his head down and stayed focused on his own path. And now, it’s starting to pay off.
Monday’s performance against Utah wasn’t just a flash of brilliance - it was a reminder that Smith’s ceiling remains sky-high. That goal?
Equal parts creativity, confidence, and pure skill. It was the kind of play that turns heads, shifts narratives, and forces people to take notice.
This wasn’t just about one goal or one game. It was a sign that Smith is starting to find his stride, and that the Sharks may have more than one future star on their hands.
Yes, Macklin Celebrini is the face of the rebuild in San Jose. But Will Smith is making sure people remember there’s another young gun in teal who’s capable of stealing the show - and on nights like this, he doesn’t just keep up. He leads.