Smith (mid-body) will be in the lineup Thursday for the season road opener against the Lightning.

EDGE Analysis

Smith's injury was never believed to be serious. He's ready to rock on the second defensive pair with Mike Green, and the Wings' offseason hiring of Doug Houda to revamp the defense and power play figures to benefit Smith in the long run.

Smith has sustained a mid-body injury, but coach Jeff Blashill expects him to be ready for the season opener against the Lightning on Thursday, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Red Wings seem to have dodged a bullet regarding Smith's injury. Certainly, the savvy rearguard is needed in the lineup with Niklas Kronwall (knee) placed on IR, and rookies Ryan Sproul and Xavier Ouellet needing time to adjust to the fast-paced nature of the NHL.

Smith lit the lamp in Wednesday's preseason win over Pittsburgh.

EDGE Analysis

Smith fired from just inside the blue line and through heavy traffic, watching the puck travel past Marc-Andre Fleury for his first preseason goal. Smith has never eclipsed the 20-point mark in his NHL career, but Detroit really needs its blueliners to step up offensively after the group struggled in that area last year. We currently have Smith projected as a third-pairing defender, though he could quickly rise on the depth chart with more performances like he had Wednesday.

Smith recorded two helpers, a plus-2 rating, two PIM and two hits in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Canadiens.

EDGE Analysis

Smith got on the scoresheet in impressive fashion, although it was the first time in 15 games that the blueliner was able to do so. However, the 27-year-old is a regular in the box, amassing 19 PIM in March. He's been penalized in five straight, which keeps the 2007 first-round pick useful in formats that reward PIM.

Smith's two assists Saturday snapped an eight-game point drought. He now has 12 points, including nine assists, in 40 games this season.

EDGE Analysis

Once upon a time, Smith was supposed to become the next great offensive defender in the Detroit system. But the soon-to-be 27-year-old has never delivered more than 19 points in a season. Smith is a low maintenance option on the Wings' blue line, but you shouldn't count on him for scoring.

Smith opened the scoring and assisted on Luke Glendening's game-winning goal Saturday against Nashville.

EDGE Analysis

A very active night for the rearguard, who fired three shots on goal, dished out four hits and blocked three shots. With just seven points on the season, the 26-year-old isn't known for his offense , but he's got a goal and three assists in his last four games on a Red Wings team sitting third in the Eastern Conference. The former 12-goal-scorer in the AHL could be worth looking at in some very deep leagues.

Smith tallied his third assist of the season in a 4-3 shootout loss to Vancouver.

EDGE Analysis

Smith was projected as an offense-first defenseman coming out of college, but that has never really translated in the NHL. He has four points in 24 contests this season and has never scored more than 19 in a year.

Smith will be in the lineup Tuesday night against the visiting Sabres, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith is healthy, but received a DNP for Sunday's game against the Panthers. Wings bench boss Jeff Blashill likes to rotate players on his bottom defensive unit, and according to the report, it's Jakub Kindl's turn to draw out of the lineup Tuesday.

Smith (illness) will return to the lineup Friday against the Kings, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith has been sidelined for over a week because of the illness, but will finally rejoin the lineup Friday. Jakub Kindl is expected to be a healthy scratch due to his return, and Smith will likely pair with Alexei Marchenko on Friday.

Smith (illness) is expected to play Friday against the Kings.

EDGE Analysis

Smith has missed Detroit's last five games due to illness, but has reportedly overcome the ailment, and is expected to return to action Friday against LA. The 26-year-old blueliner has tallied two points (one goal, one assist) in 12 games this season.