Smith re-enters the Sharks lineup on Tuesday after sitting out the front-end of their back-to-back on Monday. The 2023 fourth-overall pick is yet to register a point through seven NHL games.
Smith has been a healthy scratch in two of the last five games and will be again on Monday as part of a development plan to ease him into NHL action. The 19-year-old has a -4 plus/minus and has yet to record a point through seven games this season.
For the second time in eight games to start the season, Smith will serve as a healthy scratch as a means of easing him into his first NHL season. The 2023 fourth-overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft has zero points and a -4 plus/minus through his first six games.
As part of pre-planned play-management for the 19-year-old rookie, Smith will have the night off on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. Smith is averaging 14:01 time-on-ice through his first four NHL games this season, with zero points and a -2 plus/minus rating.
Smith was San Jose's top prospect and 2023 first-round pick (4th overall) and signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Tuesday worth $4.15 million ($950,000 AAV). The 19-year-old just finished up his Freshman season with Boston College (NCAA) and had 25 goals and 71 points in 41 games played.
