No, Not the Actor: Who Is Will Smith in Hockey and Why Is the Nhl Buzzing About Him?

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Fantasy hockey managers take notice when young players capture dedicated special teams roles. Yahoo Sports placed Smith prominently on its list of high-priority breakout candidates for the 2026, 27 fantasy season. The rationale rests on his deployed ice time at the SAP Center. Operating from the left flank with the man advantage, Smith utilizes a deceptive wrist release alongside rapid cross-seam passing that catches opposing penalty killers flat-footed.

In 2025, 26, Smith generated 22 power-play points, accounting for more than a third of his scoring ledger. His puck poise slows the game down during chaotic shifts. As Celebrini commands heavy defensive coverage from opposition checking lines, Smith regularly feasts on second-tier matchups at five-on-five. That defensive balance creates ample open ice for a pure distributor who routinely hits teammates tape-to-tape through congested neutral zones.