Typically, when a major league player jumps from an American college, it happens once the player's NCAA team is eliminated.
Why? To burn a year of the contract.
Note that this doesn't mean a player becomes an unrestricted free agent faster… but that a second contract is signed faster, logically giving more money while waiting for full independence.
When we saw that Will Smith, the fourth overall pick in the last auction, chose not to sign with the Sharks the last few weeks, we assumed he would return to college in Boston.
After all, that was the original plan and his friends (Ryan Leonard and Gabriel Perrault) will also return to play in the NCAA.
but now According to journalist Sheng PingWhich covers site-specific shark activities San Jose Hockey Now A member of the PHWA (Professional Hockey Writers Association), Smith would have elected to make the jump in the fall.
According to the journalist, the potential player will sign an entry-level contract this summer with the Sharks organization.
Sources: Will Smith is expected to sign with the Sharks this summer https://t.co/dupawoYblY
– Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) May 27, 2024
Why not sign the contract in April? Considering the fact that he had a red-hot season in the NCAA, it's safe to assume it wasn't because the Sharks suddenly had a change of heart a month later.
Logically, this is because the player has changed his mind.
Seeing the Sharks win the 2024 draft lottery may have changed Smith's plans. After all, Maclin Celebrini is expected to make the jump from the NCAA to the NHL this year.
Seeing the two playing together definitely tipped the scales.
Remember, Smith was a big target for Kent Hughes (who knows the young man well) and that he was drafted after Connor Bedard, Leo Karlsson, and Adam Fantelli. The top three 2023 picks played in the NHL last year.
CH drafted fifth and selected David Reinbacher, who will likely start next season in Laval.
a lot of
– Gets people talking.
This is a huge punishment!!!#nhl #hockey # Playoffs #Notification #Cheetahs #New York #Florida #New York City #nerringers #truba #He hits #Game3 #ABC pic.twitter.com/oMCeiYl3Ij
– PK Subban (@PKSubban1) May 26, 2024
The story of 2021 repeats itself, but with the other knee.
He will undergo knee surgery. https://t.co/e61FHmxgBz
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) May 27, 2024
– Voltigeurs no longer have the right to make mistakes.
Well, Voltigeur is 0-2.
Damage. They advanced in this second part by two goals.
All that's left to do is hope for two more defeats in Moose Jaw.
– Mikael Lalancette (@MikLalancette) May 27, 2024
“Hipster-friendly tv trailblazer. Problem solver. Infuriatingly humble introvert. Reader. Student. Subtly charming bacon maven.”
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