Sharks Were ‘Not Convinced’ On Will Smith Extension? — Insider

One young player who is noticeably absent from the list of pending RFAs who have cashed in with massive extensions this summer is San Jose Sharks 21-year-old top-liner Will Smith. The burgeoning star was the 4th overall selection in the famed 2023 NHL Draft. 

Somehow, while the three bigger-named players above him have all scored huge new contracts, Smith remains unsigned heading into the final year of his entry-level deal this season. 

According to insider Elliotte Friedman, on The Fan Hockey Show podcast, perhaps the Sharks were waiting to see more from Smith before they committed the big, monstrous money. In particular, before the new CBA kicked in, eliminating eight-year contracts. 

To me, and someday I'll get to the bottom of it, but I think it's really interesting that it didn't get done before the rules changed. And you know what that says to me?... It says to me that San Jose wasn't yet 100% convinced. 

Perhaps the Sharks' season-opening 4-3 overtime win over the Florida Panthers will help "convince" them. Smith had two goals and an assist. 

WILL SMITH, FED BY MACKLIN CELEBRINI.

WE MIGHT GET USED TO THIS COMBO 🤑🤑🤑 pic.twitter.com/hQOtVyP1rV

— PUCK’D Media (@PUCKD_) October 2, 2026

As for the comparables, it's pretty easy to make a case for what Smith can command on a new deal. 

Will Smith's comparables are obvious as pending RFA remains unsigned for Sharks

The No. 1 pick in that 2023 draft class, Connor Bedard, signed for five years, $15M AAV. The No. 2 pick, Leo Carlsson, unless you've been living under a rock for the summer, everyone knows about his $18M AAV over five years. And No. 3 in that draft? Adam Fantilli just came in at six years, $13.75M. 

As for Smith, he's coming off a season with numbers that were actually better than Fantilli's. The same 24 goals and 59 points, but in 69 games, compared to Fantilli's 82 games played. 

And it's not like the Sharks are afraid to spend the money. They handed superstar Macklin Celebrini an $18.8M AAV over five years on an extension that kicks in next year. And they spent this offseason on other parts of the roster as well, signing Jacob Trouba for $8.25M and bringing in Darnell Nurse via trade at $9.25M. They also signed Mason Marchment at a $6.75M AAV. They were fortunate to get those moves in before the Carlsson salary explosion changed everything. 

But Smith is off to another great start as Celebrini's "sidekick", and he will get paid. It's not hard to imagine how much, either. After seeing what his contemporaries got, it's safe to say that the young Sharks forward can smell blood in the water. And the longer the Sharks wait, the higher that price is going to go.