Mike Smith allowed six goals on 31 shots in a 6-4 loss to the Blackhawks Sunday, If Smith's primary goal entering the season was to prove last season was no fluke, allowing 10 goals in his first two starts probably wasn't the best course of action. However, assuming that Smith has been solely responsible for the Coyotes' poor start doesn't place enough blame on his teammates. He appears to be in no danger of losing his starting job and he continues to play within Dave Tippet's defensive system so we're in favor of making him a buy-low target.

Mike Smith kicked out 22 of 26 shots in a 4-3 loss Saturday. Not the best way for Smith to prove that the 2011-12 campaign wasn't a fluke. At the same time, it's just one game into the season and we expect Smith to bounce back.

Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith enters this season hoping to prove that he is not merely a one-year wonder. Smith, 30, went 11-0 in the month of February last season to keep the Coyotes in the playoff chase. He engineered a 234:25 shutout streak to help clinch the Pacific Division title and home advantage in the postseason. And once there, he had a .944 save percentage and added three more shutouts. It was a historic season, the best the franchise has experienced, but after a four-month lockout that trimmed the schedule to 48 games, Smith want to deliver an encore that proves it wasn't a fluke. "I think I can really become a top goalie in this league and not just be a one-hit wonder," he said. This is an important season for Smith. He's in the final year of his contract and if the Coyotes can't negotiate a deal before the start of free agency, Smith can pursue other teams.

Phoenix goaltender Mike Smith is looking forward to the start of the NHL season. The shortened season will not allow for teams to go on a lengthy losing streak and still expect to make the post-season. "That makes it that much more fun, though, because every game is so important, and you can't afford to go on a big losing streak and expect to be in the hunt," Smith said. "It'll be an exciting shortened season, that's for sure." Smith never went over to Europe to play so he is chomping on the bit for some NHL action.

Mike Smith is trying to stay upbeat even as the lockout drags on. "I'm still optimistic that it's going to get done, but every day and every negotiation that goes sour we all lose hope," Smith said. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly suggested that we'd need a new CBA by mid-January to save the season, which gives the two sides less than a month to work out an agreement.

Mike Smith is thinking about playing in Europe. "I think everyone's starting to think about their options now," Smith said. "I talked to a few buddies that I've played with on different teams, and we're kind of laughing a little bit saying we should reunite somewhere. Obviously Europe's got some great hockey over there, and it would probably be the next best thing." Dozens of players have already committed to playing with European teams for the duration of the lockout.

If Shane Doan leaves the Phoenix Coyotes, it could impact Mike Smith's negotiations. Doan reportedly plans to sign after Greg Jamison completes his purchase of the team. Still, nothing is set in stone yet and Smith's concerned about what Doan's departure would mean for the team. "If he leaves, it'll be a big blow to this franchise and this organization," Smith said. "I think it'll determine whether or not people sign back here or how we lure in free agents in the future. It'll definitely be interesting to figure all that out." Smith is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2013.

Mike Smith's contract negotiations have been put on hold while the Coyotes sort out their ownership situation. "When you start looking at big contracts (including the length of deals), you certainly want ownership to be included in the process," GM Don Maloney said. "We exchanged some ideas." An extension for Smith was listed as a top priority for Maloney after the team's wrapped up. The team's number one netminder is set to play the final year of his present deal in 2012-13.

Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith wants to see the Phoenix Coyotes retain the services of their goaltending coach, Sean Burke. Smith is signed through the 2012-13 campaign, but Phoenix wants to ink him to a long-term contract. They'll have an easier time negotiating with him if they agree to keep Burke. "I think it has an impact on it," Smith said. "Obviously his contract is up. I have a year left. Looking at the long-term, he's made me a better goaltender. I couldn't have done it without him, and I believe he's the best guy in the league at what he does. To be able to have a guy like that to lean on and he shows confidence in me every game whether I'm at my best or not, it's very easy to go out there and just do what I have to do and be the best." Smith enjoyed a breakout season with a 2.21 GAA and .930 save percentage in 67 starts in 2011-12.

Mike Smith has one year remaining on his current deal, but Phoenix GM Don Maloney appears to be open to locking the goaltender up to a long-term contract. The Coyotes have to re-sign Shane Doan as well, which is reportedly their top priority this off-season as their captain is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent, but Maloney said he would explore the possibility of Smith's future with the club too. Smith silenced his doubters in 2011-12 with a 38-18-10 record, including eight shutouts, a .930 save percentage and a 2.21 GAA in his first season as Phoenix's number one goalie.