Smith (lower body) practiced with his team for approximately 20 minutes Thursday, but Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said the goalie is "still a long ways" from a return.

EDGE Analysis

After undergoing surgery to correct a core muscle injury Dec. 15, Smith was given an initial timetable of 8-to-10 weeks for his return. He's currently on the front end of that estimate, but Tippet's latest forecast for Smith sounds rather ominous despite the netminder joining his teammates at practice. Louis Domingue and Anders Lindback continue to work in goal with Smith ailing, but the 'Yotes have struggled mightily with a 2-7-1 record over the past 10 games.