NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Givani Smith

Get to Know Givani Smith

Date of Birth: 2/27/1998
Place of Birth: Thonhill, ON, CAN
Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 205 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Left Wing
Team (League): Guelph Storm (OHL)

Statistics

What Scouts See

Last Word on Sports:

Givani Smith is developing into a very effective power forward. He just loves to hit, and does so in all three zones. Smith gets in quickly on the forecheck and absolutely punishes opposing defencemen. Smith finishes his checks and takes away time and space creating turnovers. He can also win battles on the boards, and establish position in front of the net. He loves to work the cycle game down low, using his size and strength to protect the puck. If Smith gets and opportunity, he loves to take the puck to the front of the net, whether he has to go around an opposing defender, or right through him to do so.

The Draft Analyst:

A freight train of goal scorer who like most budding power forwards can dominate through lengthy periods of invincibility. Smith is the perfect feast or famine player – he’ll dictate the terms or not have a say at all. Still, he’s the kind of goal scorer who can fill the net with impunity as long as he has anything resembling a competitive lineup to augment his power.

What BSN Avalanche sees

Like most power forward prospects, Smith can dominate for long stretches and seem like a superhero on the ice against a bunch of baddies. He’s extremely physical, can skate with the puck, and is always looking to punish the opposition for allowing him to gain a head  of steam. He combines a powerful stride with a quick release to cause problems for opposing goaltenders.

Like most power forward prospects, Smith also disappears for long stretches and you forget he’s out there. At one point, I even checked the game’s box score to make sure he did, in fact, play in 0ne of the games I watched. It’s difficult for these style of players to maintain their physical dominance over the long period and even more difficult for them to translate the offensive skills to pro hockey.

Highlights

NHL Potential

It’s hard not to watch Smith’s success and see a younger Anthony Duclair out there. They’re very similar players and I could absolutely envision Givani Smith taking the NHL by storm in a few short years.

Expected Draft Position

Smith is currently a second-third round prospect.

How Prospect Fits in Avalanche Organization

Now THIS is a player tailor-made for the current Avalanche front office. Smith is the exact mold they targeted last year when they drafted A.J Greer and Smith is the same kind of raw power forward project that could have enormous upside down the road.