The Detroit Red Wings have recalled Brendan Smith from the minors. Smith will not play as he is currently suspended but served his fourth of the five game suspension on Thursday and will finish on the weekend. The Red Wings are in the midst of a six-game winless streak and Smith could see himself in the lineup when his suspension ends to give Detroit a spark.

The Detroit Red Wings have called up Brendan Smith. Smith will serve two more games of his five-game suspension on Thursday and Saturday. He was also called up last week for the purpose of getting part of his suspension out of the way.

The Detroit Red Wings have recalled defenseman Brendan Smith from Grand Rapids of the AHL. Smith served the first of his five games suspension last night. Smith was taken in the first round of the 2007 Entry Draft and played for Grand Rapids in the AHL last season after two years at the University of Wisconsin. The Mimico, Ontario native is known for his offensive prowess, especially on the power play. Smith has all the tools to be a game-breaker in the NHL. With Brian Rafalski now retired, Smith should see NHL action at some point this season and could even get a chance to prove himself on the power play sooner than later.

Brendan Smith has been sent to the minors by the Detroit Red Wings. The NHL suspended Smith for five regular season games as punishment for hitting Chicago's Ben Smith in the head on Wednesday. He won't miss any time while in the AHL, but he will be forced to sit out of five NHL games once he gets called up.

The NHL has suspended Brendan Smith for the rest of the preseason and five regular season contests. Smith is being punished for delivering a hit to Chicago's Ben Smith's head during Wednesday's game. Brendan's suspension is part of the NHL's larger effort to cut down on the number of head hits.

Brendan Smith talked with the NHL on Thursday and will face a possible suspension for his shoulder to head hit on Ben Smith of the Chicago Blackhawks. Smith is likely to get suspended as the NHL is clamping down hard on hits to the head. The decision will be announced Friday. The defenseman is now likely to start the season in the minors in order to get some playing time.

Detroit blueliner Brendan Smith is facing a suspension from the NHL for his shoulder to head hit on the Blackhawks Ben Smith. Detroit's Smith received a match penalty for his hit in the third period. Smith is trying to beat out Jakub Kindl and Mike Commodore for the final spot on the Detroit defensive corps. This will not help his chances.

Although Brendan Smith is still in the mix for a roster spot, he'll probably start the season in the minors. Smith would have to beat out Mike Commodore and Jakub Kindl for a spot on the team's third defensive pairing. "There's all this speculation that I'm either ready or not ready, but I'm honestly just going to let the preseason happen and play as best as I can and do what has gotten me to this point," he said. "Ever since I've been young, I've always wanted to play in the NHL, and it'd be a dream come true to play with the Wings. Hopefully I can prove that I'm NHL ready." Even if Smith gets sent to the minors, he'll probably make his NHL debut before the end of the 2011-12 season. We'll keep you posted.

Brendan Smith may be talented enough to play in the NHL at this point but the Red Wings aren't pushing him. "I'm just trying to show I'm ready, that's the biggest thing," said Smith, who is being paired with veteran Mike Commodore on the blueline during the exhibition season. "It's just the way it is and that's how it was with most of these players. Everyone has gone through it." The Wings likely will keep seven defensemen - Nicklas Lidstrom, Ian White, Brad Stuart, Niklas Kronwall, Jonathan Ericsson, Jakub Kindl and Commodore.

Brendan Smith is expected to get plenty of looks for Detroit during the exhibition schedule to earn a spot with the Red Wings out of training camp. He will likely have to outperform Mike Commodore and Jakub Kindl to get on the opening day roster, but he should see NHL action at some point this season. The Wings are high on his talent and they want him to absorb some knowledge from star defender Nicklas Lidstrom. Smith can play physical and run the power play, so he has great value as a fantasy performer. Keep an eye on his progress at camp and put a claim on him up in keeper leagues.