Smith has been sidelined since December 21st with a lower-body injury he suffered while blocking a shot. He'll replace Mark Jankowski, who is out week-to-week, on the Nashville fourth line.
Smith has not played since December 21st, missing 11 straight games, but is nearing a return to the lineup. The 29-year-old Smith was averaging 13:03 time-on-ice and has five points (2G / 3A) in 34 games before his injury.
Smith has not played since December 21st, missing 11 straight games, but is nearing a return to the lineup. The 29-year-old Smith was averaging 13:03 time-on-ice and has five points (2G / 3A) in 34 games before his injury.
It's a tough break for the Predators' fourth liner, who likely won't be back until the middle of February. Justin Barron is expected to make his Preds debut in Smith's place as Nashville opts to dress seven defencemen against the Hurricanes on Monday.
Smith will not be available for the Predators' do-or-die Game 6 vs. the Canucks. He'll either be replaced by Juuso Pärssinen or Luke Schenn, if the Predators go with seven defensemen.
Mark Jankowski and Jaret Anderson-Dolan will both be healthy scratches on Monday, allowing Colton Sissons and Cole Smith to re-enter the lineup. Smith has 23 points (9G / 14A) in 79 games this season.
Smith's 16 points (5G / 11A) in 46 games have been rewarded with a two-year, $2 million contract extension. The 28-year-old winger has most recently been playing on a line with Michael McCarron and Philip Tomasino.
Smith missed the Predators' previous game due to illness but will draw back into the lineup Thursday vs. Tampa Bay as Tyson Barrie returns to being a healthy scratch. The 28-year-old left-winger is having the best season of his young career thus far with four goals, five assists, 29 SOG, 28 PIMs and a +2 plus/minus in 24 games played.
Smith has four goals, five assists, 29 SOG, 28 PIMs and a +2 plus/minus in 24 games this season but will miss Tuesday vs. Chicago due to illness and is considered day-to-day. The 28-year-old will be replaced by Tyson Barrie, who returns after a two game absence over the weekend as Nashville goes with an 11 forward, seven defensemen lineup.
Smith was hurt on Saturday and will likely miss Monday's game in Dallas. John Leonard was recalled from the AHL this afternoon and will likely replace him in the lineup vs. the Stars.
Smith has two goals, nine assists, 47 SOG, 43 PIMs and a +2 plus/minus through 42 games this season and has earned himself a one-year, $775,000 contract extension Monday. This is great news for the 27-year-old who has 51 career NHL games under his belt.
Smith has eight assists, 37 SOG and 32 PIMs through 34 games but will miss Tuesday's game vs. Montreal as he is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Mark Jankowski will be taking his spot in the Predators' lineup.
Smith turned pro with the Predators in 2022, appearing in nine NHL games and 82 AHL games since. In 2022, he was third on Milwaukee (AHL) in goals (21) and fourth in points (41) in 59 games.
Nick Cousins is week-to-week with a lower-body injury, so Smith comes up from the AHL and should play in the bottom-6 on Tuesday. Smith has spent most of the season in the AHL, posting 10 goals and 12 assists (22 points) in 33 games with Milwaukee.
The Predators have had a COVID-19 outbreak, so Smith is part of the reinforcements coming up from Milwaukee. Smith has five goals and seven assists (12 points) in 20 AHL games this season.
Smith appeared in one game with the Predators last season, spending almost all of the season in Chicago (AHL), where he had five goals and five assists in 23 games. Look for Smith to report to the AHL to open the 2021-22 campaign.
Smith was an undrafted free agent forward out of the University of North Dakota. The 24-year-old finished his senior season with 11 goals and seven assists (18 points) in 34 games for the Fighting Hawks.
