ScreenshotWill Smith also wants to sign an extension with the San Jose Sharks.Following Macklin Celebrini in exit interviews — Celebrini expressed his desire to sign an extension with the Sharks — Smith followed with a similar want.Smith also spoke on what he learned this season, what he’s looking to improve for next year, team expectations next season, World Championships plans, how close the San Jose Sharks room was, and more about Book Club and recipes.Will Smith, on how he’d recap his second year:It was a lot of fun. We had a great group. Obviously, we came up a little short, but it was a great jump for us, and definitely looking forward to next year.Smith, on what he learned from the playoff push:I think just how fun it was.

We’re all striving to get into that race again next year. Obviously, the end goal is to be in the playoffs, and we wish we were playing right now. We just can’t wait to get back in that race for next year.Smith, on what he learned from this season, especially from some of the lows, like getting benched:I think I’m definitely relied on to be good every night for this team.

It’s something that I definitely don’t take lightly, and want to make sure I’m ready to go every night next year.Smith, on what the San Jose Sharks need to do to take the next step:I think just at the end of games, making sure we could finish a lot of those out. Even at the beginning of the year, some of those points, you can see that we needed them at the end of the year and how close the race was.Smith, on what he’s going to focus on this summer:I think there’s a lot of personal stuff that I’m going to work on, just in my game. I think getting faster and stronger is always a common thing, and definitely something I’m still working on.Smith, on what position he’ll stay at:I mean, I played wing all year this year, so I haven’t really talked about it with Warsofsky or Grier, but I would assume that’s the plan.I’m open to anything.

I got drafted as a center, but I’ve definitely gotten familiar with playing wing, and playing with Mack’s been pretty special, too, so I’m up for whatever.Smith, on what the team can take away from the end of the year:I mean, we’re a young team. We have a really good core, and I think the older guys are great with us. A lot of guys who have won one in this league were on this roster this year.

Whenever we had questions or needed something, they’re always there to help. I think being in the race this year is going to help us coming into next year.Smith, on Macklin Celebrini setting the tone for the room:Yeah, it’s big. I think when you have a young guy like that who, like you said, can kind of drive the culture and bring winning habits to an organization, it’s big, and something definitely that we’re all watching.Smith, on if he’s going to join USA at Worlds:This summer, I’m out for Worlds.

I just want to make sure I’m ready to go next year. Like I said, get bigger and stronger and a big May is definitely a big head start.Smith, on last year’s Men’s Worlds and winning gold:Yeah, it was awesome. It was something I’ll never forget.

It was a crazy experience, and getting to do it with those guys was pretty special. Whenever you get to wear that sweater, it’s unbelievable.Smith, on whether he’ll be training with Celebrini:We talked about it a little bit. I think he might come out to Boston for a bit, and then I’ll go out to Vancouver and train with him for a week.

Smith, on joining Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon in the summer at Nova Scotia again:That was a blast last summer. Not sure if that’s happening again, but if it does, though, I’ll definitely want to be there.Smith, on his personal highlights from this season:There’s a lot of them. Probably one of my favorite games was earlier in the year at MSG.

That was pretty cool, just to get the first one of the year and in a special building like that. It was pretty cool.Smith, on a contract extension:That’s definitely going to be a topic, I think, just for Mack himself, too. That’s awesome.

I think being able to get that done would be awesome. Honestly, I haven’t thought about it at all. Like you said, we have the third year [on the ELC], but yeah, we have a great group, I love being here.

Just got to talk to Mike Grier and figure it out. I’m always open to anything.Smith, on Collin Graf:He was awesome. He definitely put up some big numbers.

I played against him in college, and he was great there, so I knew what we were getting when he signed here. Just playing with him, it’s great too. He’s really smart and has an unbelievable stick.Smith, on the growth of the San Jose Sharks fanbase:It’s been crazy.

I think just the following we’ve had this year has been pretty special, and I think we’ve gained a lot of new fans. Just in the Bay Area, it’s been awesome. The support from the whole city, and seeing the Tank full is pretty special.

It was crazy. I think just even looking at photos from a couple years ago to now, and just also on Instagram, a