We’ve seen a lot of forwards so far, but what about defensemen?
Analysis:
While the Bruins rebuild/retool/unbaddening will almost certainly need their offense to be completely overhauled, Boston should consider looking into getting a little more talented on defense; as while they did end up unimaginably unlucky thanks to the injuries to both Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy, that corps feels like it will end up needing just as big of a change as the forward group. So let’s take a look at the best available defender that isn’t expected to go 1st overall, and see how he handles himself?
Smith comes from the Washington State part of the WHL; the Tri-City Americans, who have a steady tradition of strong defense prospects like Brandon Carlo, Lukas Dragicevic (before he got traded elsewhere), Juuso Valimaki, and Sheldon Souray, and largely lived up to that tradition with a strong season on an average Amerks squad.
Smith’s game is as complete as it can get for your average defenseman in 2025; he’s a strong skater with exceptional acceleration and lateral movement, able to be anywhere and everywhere on the ice in a very short amount of time. His understanding of his place on the ice is advanced for a kid his age; keeping himself firmly in position 90% of the time and the 10% he isn’t, he can just slot himself back into position with a stride. His stick skills make him a nightmare to try and get around; since he’s a huge kid and that affords him a long stick that he can make quick use of in his own end…and he’s more than willing to use that size to crunch a body that he’s successfully corralled to the boards.
But the true mark of a modern defenseman is not only his defensive acumen, but also his ability to turn that up ice and contribute offensively. His skating allows him to help join the rush and keep the puck moving in the right direction, and his stick skill has afforded him a real playmaking talent that your average NHL team salivates at; his productive assist totals only back it up. Together, these things make him a challenging player to face off against; built not just for his intellect away from the puck, but his willingness to advance it himself that gives his team a much more broader attack.
Unfortunately, Smith happens to have one very big achilles heel, one that probably has him swimming in the middle of the top 10 rather than being an easy push for the top 4. Smith early in the season was notable not just for his physical ability and his defensive awareness…but for how he’d often throw all of that away for some of the most preposterous turnovers in his own end you’ve ever seen. Forecheckers coming at him with speed or aggression often forced the kind of turnovers that are, and I’m trying to be very kind while I’m saying this: unacceptable for a player of his talent level. He got better about it over time, but he would still end up letting loose a truly bizarre turnover if he had multiple players coming at him and he felt that there was no help coming along the boards. It’s a confusing wart to have, because few players his age could reasonably threaten him strength-wise, even in the much more physical WHL.
Drafting Smith will involve ensuring that he continues to develop his confidence with the puck, especially while under pressure, but also in promoting the things he is good at; namely the physical aspect of the game and the ability to leave the zone with the puck under his own power.
Personally, while I think Smith is good, and the Bruins will need to improve their defense somehow…he’s still really good, and teams that have more patience in their defenders because they desperately need players
This fanbase already has one large defenseman who turns the puck over in catastrophic ways that they wanna run out of town on a rail. I think the patience we’re going to be preaching for the next few years is going to be running thin specifically on that kind of player for right now.
Better to just focus down on a forward.
Ratings
Ranked 13th by NHL Central Scouting among North American Skaters
Ranked 6th by EliteProspects.com
Ranked 10th by TSN’s Bob McKenzie
Ranked 5th by McKeen’s Hockey
Ranked 15th by FC Hockey
Ranked 7th by DailyFaceoff.com
Ranked 13th by Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino
Ranked 9th by Dobber Prospects
Ranked 8th by Smaht Scouting