Givani Smith News

The Red Wings have been hit hard by COVID-19 and now Darren Helm is dealing with an undisclosed injury, so it looks like Smith and Taro Hirose, who was also recalled, could make their season debuts on Sunday. Smith had two goals and one assist in 21 games with the Red Wings a season ago.

Smith became a regular in the Red Wings lineup during his call-up but has just three points (2G / 1A) in 21 games this season. With Anthony Mantha and Frans Nielsen back on Tuesday, Smith heads back to the AHL. He has 13 points (4G / 9A) in 24 games with Grand Rapids.

Smith played in nine of the last 10 games before the Red Wings bye week, scoring two goals with one assist but was sent to the AHL over the break.

Smith was held pointless in five games with the Red Wings earlier in the year but has 13 points (4G / 9A) and 59 PIMS in 22 AHL games with Grand Rapids. With Valtteri Filppula out, Smith could draw into the lineup on Saturday.

Smith has missed the last two games and was moved to IR to make room for Joe Hicketts to be recalled from Grand Rapids (AHL). Smith is eligible to return whenever he is healthy.

This is the second time that Smith has been called up. During his first tour with the Red Wings, Smith had no points with four shots but carried an impressive 63.3 CorsiFor% in three games. During his time with the Griffins, the 21-year-old has scored three goals with four assists (seven points) in 10 games.

Smith was a second-round pick (No.46 overall) in 2016 and is poised to make his NHL debut on Friday night. Luke Glendening left Wednesday's game with an upper-body injury, so Smith is expected to replace him in the Red Wings' bottom-6. The 6-foot-2, 220 lbs. winger has two goals and two assists (four points) in four AHL games this season.