Smith (lower body) was able to skate in pads for 15 minutes Tuesday, per Coyotes coach Dave Tippet, causing reporter Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic to conclude that the situation is "still status quo."

EDGE Analysis

Recall that Smith went under the knife on Dec. 15 to repair a core muscle injury, at which point he was given a recovery timetable of 8-to-10 weeks. Based on this latest report, it appears that nothing has changed with his rehab or expected return date. He's bound to return in mid-February assuming the timetable stays unchanged. Smith's ailment has opened the door for rookie netminder Louis Domingue to pick up significant minutes between the pipes, and he's done well based on a 6-2-2 record and 2.06 GAA in eight starts and 10 total showings.