Smith (hand infection) returned to practice today and can come off injured reserve Wednesday, but will likely need more practice time before returning to the lineup, Ansar Khan of MLive reports. Smith has been out a week with the infection but appears on his way to recovery. A return this weekend is an outside possibility.

Smith (hand) was placed on the 7-day IR on Wednesday with a hand infection. Smith developed an infection from a fight in Tuesday's game against the Blue Jackets and will miss at least a week from it. Smith has six points through 18 games this year, including four in his last five. Xavier Ouellet was called up and will fill in during his absence.

Smith is dealing with an infection stemming from a fight in Tuesday's game against the Blue Jackets and won't travel with the team to Winnipeg on Thursday, Chuck Pleiness of Macomb Daily reports. the report adds that Smith could join the team in Toronto on Saturday, though that is unclear at this point. He has been relatively productive on the offensive end for the Red Wings, posting six points (two goals, four assists) in 18 games. Jakub Kindl will likely dress in his absence.

Smith skated only 13:41 on Tuesday against the Jackets, but tallied two assists, went plus-3 and picked up five for fighting. While Smith's off to a slow start overall this year, Tuesday's stat-stuffing effort gives him a more-than-respectable four points (including his first two goals of the season) in the last five games. The talented defender is coming around offensively, so make sure he's owned in your leagues.

Smith netted his first goal of the season Friday in a 4-2 victory against the Devils. Smith has started to pick up his offensive game a bit after a slow start, with three points in his last six contests. Smith has some offensive ability and if he can find some consistency, could put up 30 points a season.

Smith registered a helper in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Sabres on Sunday. Smith hasn't done much offensively on the second defensive pairing this season, with two points in 10 games. Those pair of assists have come in the past three games, however, and Smith does have a fair amount of offensive skill.

Smith (hip) returned to action Monday against the Maple Leafs, logging 25:57 of ice time. Almost 10 minutes of Smith's time came on the penalty kill, a unit coach Mike Babcock expects him to be a fixture on this season. While not a premier blueline scorer, Smith did manage to pot five goals to along with 14 assists in 71 games, proving he does have some puck-moving ability. As he prepares for his third NHL season, it wouldn't be inconceivable for him to take a decent-sized jump in scoring this season, though his production is unlikely to outpace fellow defenseman Niklas Kronwall.

Smith didn't skate Monday due to a hip flexor and is day to day, Ansar Khan of MLive reports. Smith should be good to go for the Red Wings' season opener on Oct. 9; he just may not play or practice as much until then. He had 19 points last season and will likely be paired with defensive-minded Kyle Quincey to begin the season.

Smith will join Kyle Quincey on the second pairing during Tuesday's preseason opener vs. the Blackhawks, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports. The duo primarily partnered with each other last season, though Smith did occasionally pair up with top blueliner Niklas Kronwall toward the end of the campaign. The 25-year-old took much grief for the frequency with which he turned over the puck in the offseason, but aside from Kronwall, he may offer the most fantasy upside of any Detroit defenseman. If his decision-making can catch up with his speed and on-ice energy, Smith could make a run at 30 points this season. He'll be a leading candidate to earn a spot on one of the Wings' power-play units, which are in desperate need of talented point men.

Brendan and Reilly Smith will be on opposing sides in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Brendan plays on Detroit's top defense pairing and Reilly skates on Boston's second line, so the two of them are sure to cross paths in the series. They have faced each other before during the regular season, but there's a lot more on the line now.