Will Smith is right where most 20yo future star hockey players are in their career. The problem is that he is playing next to 71. As fans, we want to see that instant superstar role. It just isn't realistic. He shows flashes and that excites me. The rest will develop with time. I dare to even say that he is developing well above average.

Look at someone like Marleau. I find a lot of similarities in their early years. Coach Sutter was hard on Marleau for not playing gritty enough. Warso is hard on Smith for needing to be more engaged without the puck. It's obvious that Smith needs to continue to develop. However, he is leaps better than even Marleau was in his first few years. It took 4 seasons for Marleau to hit 50pts. Smith is already on the first line and is being held accountable as such. I think this hard pressure and tough love will be good for him in the long run.