MEGA DEALS: San Jose Sharks’ Will Smith Contract Negotiations ESCALATE After Leonard Signing

San Jose Sharks face a contract crossroads as teams across the NHL lock in their young stars. Will Will Smith’s next deal match the escalating price tags set by peers like Ryan Leonard and Drake Batherson, or does the Cutter Gauthier contract hold the key to his future salary? JD Young compares Smith’s production and potential with recent big-money signings, breaks down how the changing CBA and rising cap space are reshaping negotiation tactics, and explores the timeline fans should expect for a Will Smith extension. Insights include how Macklin Celebrini factors into Smith’s value, the potential impact of Gauthier’s pending deal, and whether the Sharks will wait for more answers—or act fast to secure their cornerstone. Will San Jose’s management gamble on patience, or could Smith force their hand with a breakout season?