Mike Smith News

Smith will likely start one of the Oilers' games during their back-to-back on Tuesday and Wednesday. Smith has been limited to just six games this season, going 2-2-1 with an .898 SV%.

Smith recently returned to the crease but appeared to suffer a lower-body injury in the latter part of Friday's game. Iyla Konovalov has been called up to serve as Mikko Koskinen's backup on Saturday.

Smith has been out since October 19th, so moving him to LTIR gives the Oilers enough cap-space to call up Philip Broberg and William Lagesson to replace Darnell Nurse and Slater Koekkoek, who went on IR. Smith is eligible to be activated whenever he is healthy.

Smith appeared close to returning to the Oilers' crease but a setback will keep him sidelined for the foreseeable future. With Smith out, Mikko Koskinen will connote to be used as the No.1 netminder with Stuart Skinner as his backup.

Head coach Dave Tippett said that Smith is "skating right now, he won't play tonight but he's real close. We're hoping he'll be an option for Friday." With Smith out for a sixth straight game, look for Mikko Koskinen to start.

Smith was removed from Tuesday's game after he "tweaked" something in his lower body. With Smith going on IR, Stuart Skinner was recalled from the AHL to serve as Mikko Koskinen's backup moving forward. The movement to IR means he'll miss at least two games.

Head coach Dave Tippett called Smith "day-to-day" in his post-game media availability but added that he'll be re-evaluated on Wednesday morning. The Oilers have a back-to-back in Arizona and Vegas on Thursday and Friday, so there's a chance Stuart Skinner is called up and plays one of those two games.

Smith separated himself from Mikko Koskinen last season and ended up starting 54 percent of the Oilers games, going 21-6-2 with a 2.31 GAA and .923 SV%. It was a resurgent year for the veteran netminder, who struggled mightily in his debut season with the Oilers. If all goes well in 2022, he should start the lion’s share of the Oilers games and their high-powered offence could make him a valuable fantasy option.

Smith struggled in 2020 but the Oilers brought him back for 2021 and he flourished. At age-38, Smith went 21-6-2 with a 2.31 GAA and .923 SV% in 32 games and will head into 2021-22 as the Oilers' No.1 starting goalie with a more certain future after signing a two-year contract.