Will Smith

When Can Newly-Drafted Prospects Break Through Into The NHL?

When do or can prospects make the jump to the NHL/AHL level? Most NHL prospects take 3-5 years post-draft to reach the NHL, with less than a third of first-rounders making an NHL team. Factors like skill development and individual progression dictate the timeline. Additionally, a strict NHL-CHL agreement impacts where prospects can play, depending on age. Any player under the age of 20 is ineligible to play in the AHL. NHL Entry Draft intricacies, entry-level contracts, Russian political issues and AHL stints shape a prospect’s journey.

Read More
Carolina Hurricanes Prospect Named Hobey Baker Finalist

Carolina Hurricanes Prospect Named Hobey Baker Finalist

Carolina Hurricanes prospect named hobey baker finalist

Read More

Tomas Hertl Season Preview

The previous season proved to be a turbulent ride for San Jose Sharks forward Tomas Hertl. On certain evenings, the forward displayed exceptional performance, while on others, Hertl seemed to be overmatched and overwhelmed. This season, Hertl scored 22 goals and 41 assists for 63 points, which ranked 41st in points among centers in the […]

Read More

Thomas Bordeleau Season Preview

This is going to be a big season for Thomas Bordeleau’s career. The former Michigan standout had a good first full season of professional hockey in San Jose, being named to the AHL All-Star team and finishing third on the San Jose Barracuda in points with 22 goals and 19 assists. He eventually got called […]

Read More

Auston Matthews, Future San Jose Shark?

As Auston Matthews approaches the end of his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2024, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over his future with the team, prompting speculation about his potential departure next year. If he hits the open market, it begs the question: Could we see Matthews rock Sharks’ teal? Let The Fun […]

Read More

San Jose Sharks Top 10 Prospects

The San Jose Sharks have done much work revamping their prospect pool over the past few seasons; a combination of being bad and trading away players has led the Sharks’ prospect pool to start to look respectable to good compared to the rest of the NHL. While they still need a franchise goaltender and a […]

Read More
Will Smith putting on his Sharks jersey

Sharks Laying a Foundation for Success

Nashville – When asked about Matvei Michkov, San Jose Sharks General Manager Mike Grier paused, smiled, and said, “We are really happy with Will.” Many Sharks fans clamored for the uber-talented Russian winger, whose selection would be the dominant conversation leading into draft night. The Sharks went a different route with USNDTP Will Smith. The […]

Read More

Who Was Selected on Day One of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft

The 2023 NHL Entry Draft has all of the hype surrounding it, here at Inside The Rink, a group of multiple writers wrote prospect profiles throughout a set period of time. Day one of the draft is upon us and the first 32 selections have arrived. 1st overall – Chicago Blackhawks With the first overall […]

Read More

Sharks select Will Smith with the 4th overall pick.

Nashville – The San Jose Sharks have selected Will Smith with the 4th overall pick. Smith spent last season with the USNTDP, where he scored 51 goals, and 76 assists in 60 games. Smith was also named the MVP of the U18s, where America won gold over Sweden. “Mostly, these dangles serve Smith’s ends as […]

Read More
Leo Carlsson

Smith, Carlsson, or Michkov? No Matter What, the Sharks Win.

The San Jose Sharks are set to make their highest pick in the draft since they drafted Brad Stuart third overall in the 1998 draft. The raging debate between Sharks fans about drafting Will Smith, Leo Carlsson, or Matvei Michkov has been the center of discourse since the season ended. No matter who Mike Grier […]

Read More