It looks like Brendan Smith will stay with the Detroit Red Wings for a while longer. Smith was initially expected to be sent down when Ian White was ready to return. White will play on Wednesday, but Detroit decided to keep Smith and instead demote Fabian Brunnstrom. "Smith played great for us," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "He gets back, he can move the puck, he competes. He is good with the puck. He takes some risks at times, but to me, he's a good player, and he's going to be a good NHL player." Smith will be in Detroit's lineup on Wednesday.

Although Ian White is ready to return, Brendan Smith will stay with the Detroit Red Wings for at least one more day. The Red Wings have to make a move before Wednesday's game. Originally, it looked like Smith would be returned to the minors, but Red Wings coach Mike Babcock raised the possibility that an injury to an undisclosed player could keep Smith in the NHL for a bit longer. "Everyone practiced, but we've got a guy who's a little bit sore, so we'll just see about that tomorrow," Babcock said. Keep an eye on this situation.

Brendan Smith, 22, has filled in well with the Detroit Red Wings' defense corps during Ian White's absence but look for him to return to Grand Rapids soon. Smith picked up assists in Detroit road wins and showed exceptional puck creativity while White was recovering from a fractured cheekbone. But White is about to return and that means Smith will be heading back to the minors for at least a while. "It's been awesome," Smith said. "The speed and strength is a lot different (from the minors), but playing with these players, it helps me out. I just have to play my position and make sure I do all the easy, simple things."

Rookie defenseman Brendan Smith will be back in the Detroit lineup on Saturday. Coach Mike Babcock liked the play of Smith who made his NHL debut Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. He was paired with Niklas Kronwall on the blueline and saw power play time alongside Nicklas Lidstrom at the point. He has some offensive upside so wouldn't be a bad pickup at this time in deep pools.

Brendan Smith played 19:18 minutes in his NHL debut on Thursday. Smith was minus-two for the Red Wings as he was paired on the blueline with Niklas Kronwall. "He's been waiting for this day," Kronwall said. "He's been looking good in practice and working hard and he's ready. I've practiced with him, and also watching him in training camp the last couple years, he talks a lot out there and makes it easy for his teammates." Smith was taken in the first round, 27th overall in 2007. He is a good skater who should spend a lot of time in the penalty box with his rough style of play.

Brendan Smith will play in his first NHL game on Thursday in San Jose. He will be paired with Niklas Kronwall at even strength and see time with Nicklas Lidstrom on the power play. "We think he's an NHL player," coach Mike Babcock said. "He's got to play, and we've got to find out. There's no better place than here. It's always a good building to play in. They're a good team. You play against real players." Mike Commodore will be a healthy scratch to make room for Smith's debut.

Brendan Smith was paired up with Niklas Kronwall during Wednesday's practice. Smith might make his NHL debut on Thursday after serving his five-game suspension. He has five points and 20 penalty minutes in 11 AHL games.

Brendan Smith has finished serving his five-game suspension. Smith has been called up several times this season so that he could serve parts of the suspension he was handed in the preseason. Smith is staying with the Red Wings for now, so he might make his NHL debut on Thursday.

Brendan Smith has been called up by the Detroit Red Wings, but he's still serving a suspension. Smith has one game left on his five game suspension, which he will serve on Tuesday. It remains to be seen if the Red Wings will keep Smith on their active roster after the suspension has been served or if they'll send him to the minors. Detroit is without Ian White (cheekbone) and only have six healthy blueliners without White and Smith.

Brendan Smith has been sent down to AHL Grand Rapids. Smith has only served four of the five games in his current suspension, so he'll have to miss one more game when he's eventually called up. He has two points and 20 penalty minutes in seven AHL games this season.