Updating an earlier report, Smith was benched Saturday for taking a foolish penalty in Thursday's game and was not just given rest before the postseason, according to the Associated Press. His penalty cost the Wings the game Thursday against Montreal. He put his team down two-men after swatting an in-play puck while on the bench. The Habs promptly scored on the the two-man advantage to tie the game and then the Wings lost in OT. We're pretty sure the young defender won't have another brain fart like that again.

Smith (rest) will not play in Saturday's regular-season finale against the Hurricanes, MLive.com's Ansar Khan reports. The Red Wings have already solidified their spot in the postseason, so coach Mike Babcock will give Smith and three other regulars the night off in order to recover from a long regular season. With both Smith and Niklas Kronwall unavailable on the blue line, Jakub Kindl and AHL Grand Rapids call-up Alexei Marchenko will enter the lineup.

Updating a previous report, Smith (arm) will play Saturday against the Red Wings, MLive.com's Ansar Khan reports. Earlier reports indicated that Smith wasn't on the ice for pregame warmups, but he apparently surfaced later during the skate and convinced the Red Wings he was sufficiently healthy. As a result, AHL call-up Xavier Ouellet will head to the press box while Smith plays in his 56th match of the season.

Smith (arm) is not taking part in pregame warmups, suggesting he'll be out Saturday against the Predators. With Smith unavailable, fresh AHL call-up Xavier Ouellet will step in to join Alexey Marchenko on the Wings' third defensive pairing. Smith should be considered day-to-day ahead of the team's next game Wednesday against the Rangers.

Smith is dealing with a sore arm and will be a game-time decision for Saturday's tilt with the Predators, MLive.com's Ansar Khan reports. The Red Wings will see how Smith is feeling closer to pregame warmups before determining whether or not he'll be able to play. Xavier Ouellet was recalled from AHL Grand Rapids as insurance on the blue line, so he would enter the lineup in the event Smith is ruled out.

Smith collected an assist in Saturday's shootout loss to the Jets.Despite finishing the night with nearly three minutes less ice time than he had been averaging for the year, Smith attempted a season-high four shots. The assist helped Smith reach double-digit scoring for the second straight season, but during his tenure with the Wings, he's generally failed to deliver the offensive production that the Wings were counting on when the drafted him in 2007.

Smith picked up an assist and two penalty minutes in Tuesday's win over the Wild. It was the first point since Dec. 23 for Smith, who has only two goals and six assists in 42 games. The lack of points in combination with his meager hit, block, and PIM totals don't provide Smith with much fantasy appeal.

Smith registered an assist in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Sabres. Despite the Red Wings winning by a comfortable three-goal margin, Smith managed to go minus-2 over his 19:41 of ice time. The 25-year-old has held down a regular role throughout his fourth NHL season, but he has yet to develop into the puck-moving threat the Red Wings envisioned when they drafted him in 2007. His two goals and seven points in 30 games don't offer much to get excited over.

Smith was activated from injured reserve Sunday. Smith was considered a possibility for Sunday's game, and now is all but certain to suit up. The Red Wings sent Xavier Ouellet back to AHL Grand Rapids to open up room on the roster. Either Brian Lashoff or Jakub Kindl will likely be scratched Sunday.

Smith (hand) could play in Sunday's game against the Canucks, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports. Smith has been cleared to play, but the Red Wings will wait until Sunday to see how he feels before making a decision on whether or not to activate him. Xavier Ouellet will head back to the AHL when Smith is officially activated from injured reserve.