{"id":334239,"date":"2025-12-02T17:17:09","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T17:17:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/334239\/"},"modified":"2025-12-02T17:17:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T17:17:09","slug":"sharks-will-smith-reminds-nhl-hes-also-ahead-of-schedule-nbc-sports-bay-area-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/334239\/","title":{"rendered":"Sharks\u2019 Will Smith reminds NHL he\u2019s also ahead of schedule \u2013 NBC Sports Bay Area & California"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor’s note:\u00a0Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California\u2019s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on\u00a0San Jose Hockey Now<\/a>, listen to him on the\u00a0San Jose Hockey Now Podcast<\/a>, and follow him on Twitter at\u00a0@Sheng_Peng<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Macklin, Macklin, Macklin!<\/p>\n

You wouldn\u2019t blame Will Smith if he sometimes felt like Jan Brady<\/a> next to \u201cnew face of the NHL\u201d Macklin Celebrini.<\/p>\n

Smith, best friends with Celebrini, has never shown a trace of jealousy, though.<\/p>\n

And on Monday, in the San Jose Sharks\u2019 6-3 stomping of the Utah Mammoth, Smith showed off his own staggering talent.<\/p>\n

This Will Smith<\/a> goal might be a candidate for goal of the year.<\/p>\n

Last season, about mid-January, both in their rookie campaigns, it appeared that Celebrini was literal leagues ahead of Smith.<\/p>\n

Before Jan. 18, the 2023 No. 4 pick had six goals and 15 points in 39 games and was sitting out back-to-backs in what the organization called development days. Smith also was moved from his natural center position to wing a month into the season.<\/p>\n

The 2024 No. 1 pick was perhaps the leading Calder Trophy candidate, any talk of development days for him obliterated by 13 goals and 32 points in just 35 appearances.<\/p>\n

Download and follow the San Jose Hockey Now podcast<\/a><\/p>\n

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