I\u2019m talking about Smith\u2019s compete, which head coach Ryan Warsofsky has challenged from time to time.<\/p>\n
Now keep in mind that Smith is just 20 and having a very productive sophomore campaign \u2014 he\u2019s got seven goals and 17 points in just 19 games \u2014 but Warsofsky recognizes that he\u2019s got more to give.<\/p>\n
Saturday night was an example of what Smith can be, as he grows into his body, gains quickness and strength.<\/p>\n
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Smith (2) jumps Vince Dunn (29) at the point and scores a goal that\u2019s ultimately waved off. Personally, I care more about Smith\u2019s defensive anticipation and breakaway speed here.<\/p>\n
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On the power play, Alex Wennberg (21) tosses an errant pass, but Smith digs deep and gets low to prevent a Frederick Gaudreau (89) clear. It\u2019s not pretty, and Smith has to use almost every part of his body to come up with the puck, but he does, keeping the PP alive.<\/p>\n
Warsofsky agreed: \u201cThat was one of his better games. As far as compete, skating with the puck, did some good things. Definitely a step in the right direction for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something that I\u2019ve wanted to be better at. The compete aspect and want the puck more,\u201d Smith said. \u201cIt\u2019s definitely something I\u2019m working on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tonight was the standard for Smith.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s not the biggest guy, he\u2019s not the strongest guy, but he can still make a difference physically.<\/p>\n
Again, Smith is just 20. His trajectory is a little more normal than his linemate Macklin Celebrini\u2019s possibly generational curve. Warsofsky\u2019s criticism and line demotions are all part of Smith\u2019s learning process.<\/p>\n
But tonight was a reminder, which is scary for the rest of the NHL, that Smith can indeed be more than just a human highlight reel \u2014 he\u2019s got more to give.<\/p>\n
Ryan Warsofsky<\/p>\n
Warsofsky, on if his focus is that his defensive corps didn\u2019t give up a lot of chances, or that the ones they gave up were big ones:<\/p>\n
Yeah, we\u2019ll look at that. There\u2019s probably four chances in there that are grade-A\u2019s that are not good ones you want to give up. It\u2019s not a recipe to win. So we have to look at that and clean it up.<\/p>\n
Warsofsky, on Zack Ostapchuk:<\/p>\n
I thought he was good. That line in general was solid. Gave us some good identity to it. I thought Chucky was good.<\/p>\n
Warsofsky, on Smith\u2019s compete tonight:<\/p>\n
I thought that was one of his better games. As far as compete, skating with the puck, did some good things. Definitely a step in the right direction for him.<\/p>\n
Warsofsky, on Nick Leddy\u2019s return to action:<\/p>\n
He was good. Leds was solid, gave us a presence back there to move pucks and play the position like a pro, like he\u2019s done for 16 years.<\/p>\n
Warsofsky, on where the San Jose Sharks can improve on:<\/p>\n
Just with our identity and how we need to play shift in and shift out and then cleaning up the chances that we give up.<\/p>\n
Will Smith<\/p>\n
Smith\u2019s view of his no-goal:<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t know. It\u2019s tough. It\u2019s happened so quick. Everyone\u2019s obviously gonna have their different opinions. We have ours, they have theirs, but you gotta just keep on playing.<\/p>\n
Smith says he didn’t kick the puck: “No, I was just trying to stop.”<\/p>\n
Wennberg laughed, saving his money, when asked his opinion of call, “No comment.”<\/p>\n
Warsofsky: “If you asked 100 people, 50 would say it was a kick, 50 would say it was a goal. I thought it was a goal.”<\/p>\n
\u2014 Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Smith, on his puck battle wins tonight:<\/p>\n It\u2019s something that I\u2019ve wanted to be better at. The compete aspect and want the puck more. It\u2019s definitely something I\u2019m working on.<\/p>\n Smith, on his line\u2019s improved performance after a lot of hard checking against them on this road trip:<\/p>\n I think after the Calgary game, we definitely wanted to have our feet moving and hold on to pucks more. We know we\u2019re going to get a lot of top pairs, and they\u2019re going to play us hard, so it\u2019s something we take pride in.<\/p>\n Alex Wennberg<\/p>\n Wennberg, on his goal:<\/p>\n It\u2019s a great play. Starts with Eky selling the shot, open up for Mack, and after that, he just tees it up for me. Two really good players just making it easy for me.<\/p>\n John Klingberg<\/p>\n Klingberg, on where the power play can improve:<\/p>\n I do think that we\u2019re breaking out the puck good in the PP, our entries are good, we\u2019re setting up, so we\u2019re getting pretty good looks too.<\/p>\n I think what it comes down to is we got to be a little bit better on winning the rebounds and controlling that second puck and then re-start again. I feel like now we have to go break out the puck a lot.<\/p>\n Klingberg, on where his game is at:<\/p>\n I can be better.<\/p>\n I think it comes down to playing with the puck, being better on the breakouts. I think, obviously my game is better in the O-zone than it is in the D-zone, so I think if I can be a little bit better on the breakouts, a little bit more clean there, we\u2019re going to play more with the puck.<\/p>\n Watch the full interview here<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t