CRAIG SMITH NEWS

Won't play against Wings Smith (back) will not be in the lineup versus Detroit on Friday, Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Smith previously missed eight games with a back injury and seems to be dealing with the same issue once again. When healthy, the veteran forward has offered decent offensive upside with 11 points in 30 outings, while chipping in 62 shots on net. With Smith on the shelf, Patrick Maroon looks set to return after being a healthy scratch the previous time out.

JANUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Misses practice Thursday Smith missed practice Thursday due to a back injury, Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio reports.

Impact Smith missed nine games a month ago with back woes and it could be a recurrence of that injury. Smith has six goals and 11 points in 30 games this season and should be considered questionable for Friday's tilt in Detroit. Should Smith be unable to go, look for Philipp Kurashev to draw back into the lineup.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up assist Smith logged an assist in Friday's 4-2 win over the Canadiens.

Impact This was Smith's second game since returning from a back injury that cost him eight contests. He's resumed his usual fourth-line role, so he'll have minimal upside in fantasy. For the season, the 35-year-old winger is at 11 points, 56 shots on net, 20 PIM and a minus-4 rating over 28 appearances.

JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Tuesday Smith (back) will return to the lineup Tuesday against the Blues, Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio reports.

Impact Smith was placed on injured reserve Dec. 20, retroactive to Dec. 12, but he'll make his return for the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field. The right-shot forward has missed eight consecutive games and nine of the past 10. Smith will more than likely serve in a fourth-line capacity Tuesday.

DECEMBER 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Alec Martinez and Craig Smith could return for the Blackhawks in the Winter Classic

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Alec Martinez and forward Craig Smith could return in time for the NHL Winter Classic

DECEMBER 29, 2024 • Associated Press

Placed on injured reserve The Blackhawks put Smith (back) on injured reserve Friday, retroactive to Dec. 12, according to Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio.

Impact Smith has missed the last four games with the injury. He has six goals and 10 points in 26 games with Chicago this season. Consider Smith day-to-day at this time.

DECEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out Thursday Smith (back) isn't available for Thursday's tilt against Seattle, per Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio.

Impact Smith is set to miss his fourth consecutive game. He has six goals, 10 points, 20 PIM, 18 hits and 15 blocks in 26 outings this season. Smith's next chance to return will come Saturday versus Calgary.

DECEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Still out Tuesday Smith (back) will not play Tuesday versus the Capitals, Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Smith is set for a fourth straight absence due to the injury. The winger's next chance to play is Thursday versus the Kraken. If he can't return for that game, it's unclear if Smith will travel with the Blackhawks when they begin a road trip in Calgary on Saturday.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Unlikely to play Sunday Smith (back) is unlikely to suit up Sunday against the Islanders, Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio reports.

Impact Smith appears in line to miss a third straight game as he continues to nurse a back issue. Joey Anderson figures to enter the lineup Sunday with Frank Nazar remaining on Chicago's second line.

DECEMBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not playing Saturday Smith (back) won't play Saturday against New Jersey, according to Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Impact Smith also missed Monday's 2-1 win over the Rangers and left Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Islanders early due to the issue. He has produced six goals, four assists and 52 shots on net across 26 appearances this season. Frank Nazar will replace Smith in Saturday's lineup.

DECEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not at practice Friday Smith (back) is not practicing Friday after missing the last 12 minutes in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Islanders, Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Smith missed Monday's game against the Rangers with a back issue, so it's likely a recurrence of the same injury. Smith has six goals and four assists in 26 games this season, including one goal on the power play. Consider him day-to-day at this time.

DECEMBER 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Blackhawks place goaltender Petr Mrazek on IR with a left groin injury

The Chicago Blackhawks have placed goaltender Petr Mrazek on injured reserve with a left groin injury

DECEMBER 8, 2024 • Associated Press

Blackhawks fire coach Luke Richardson in his 3rd season after league-worst start

The Chicago Blackhawks have fired coach Luke Richardson, signaling their frustration with the state of the franchise’s rebuilding project

DECEMBER 5, 2024 • Associated Press

Blackhawks bring 3-game losing streak into matchup against the Bruins

The Chicago Blackhawks will try to stop a three-game slide when they play the Boston Bruins

DECEMBER 4, 2024 • Associated Press

Power-play tally in loss Smith scored a power-play goal on five shots in Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Blue Jackets.

Impact Smith has racked up four points over his last five games. His goal Sunday was his first power-play point of the season, though he's regularly seen time on the second unit. The 35-year-old winger is up to six goals, 10 points, 42 shots on net, 17 hits, 16 PIM and 15 blocked shots over 22 appearances. Smith has been a steady veteran on the fourth line and could draw some interest in deep fantasy formats for his recent scoring success.

DECEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Monahan with goal and assist, Blue Jackets extend points streak to 6 with 6-3 win over Blackhawks

Sean Monahan had a goal and assist, and the Columbus Blue Jackets extended their points streak to six games with a 6-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday

DECEMBER 1, 2024 • Associated Press

Lights lamp in Thursday's win Smith scored a goal on three shots and went plus-2 in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Panthers.

Impact Smith tallied midway through the second period on a short breakaway, and his goal stood as the game-winner. The winger found some success in late October, but this goal snapped a seven-game point drought. The 35-year-old is now at five tallies, two assists, 31 shots on net, 12 hits, 12 blocked shots, 16 PIM and a minus-4 rating over 18 appearances. He's primarily been a fixture on the fourth line aside from a couple of healthy scratches early on.

NOVEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Mrazek makes 32 saves as the Blackhawks beat the Panthers 3-1

Petr Mrazek made 32 saves and Teuvo Teravainen scored, helping the Chicago Blackhawks top the Florida Panthers 3-1

NOVEMBER 22, 2024 • Associated Press

Pots goal in shootout win Smith scored a goal on two shots and added two PIM in Saturday's 4-3 shootout win over the Kings.

Impact Smith is doing well in a fourth-line role lately. He's earned four goals and two assists over his last seven games, accounting for all of his offense through 10 appearances. The winger has added 18 shots on net, eight hits, nine blocked shots, four PIM and a minus-2 rating. Smith's play has helped him earn a spot on the second power-play unit, though he has yet to pick up a point with the man advantage. He has not regularly seen power-play time since the 2021-22 campaign.

NOVEMBER 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Points in three straight games Smith logged an assist and two shots on goal in Monday's 5-2 win over the Avalanche.

Impact Smith has found a little chemistry with Lukas Reichel on the fourth line early in the campaign. The 35-year-old Smith has three goals and two assists over his last five games, accounting for all of his offense through eight outings this season. The winger has added 15 shots on net, eight hits, eight blocked shots and a minus-2 rating. Smith's offense will likely fade given his role on a rebuilding team, but he may be worth a look as a streaming option for Thursday's game against the Sharks.

OCTOBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in loss Smith scored a goal on two shots and blocked four shots in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Predators.

Impact Smith has three goals this season, all of which have come over his last three games. The 35-year-old winger continues to play in a fourth-line role when he's in the lineup, limiting his scoring potential. He's added 12 shots on net, six hits, seven blocked shots and a minus-3 rating through six appearances.

OCTOBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Skjei's power-play goals cap Predators' 3-2 comeback win over Blackhawks

Brady Skjei’s scored a tiebreaking power-play goal with 6:53 left in the the third period, and the Nashville Predators rallied to beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2

OCTOBER 26, 2024 • Associated Press

Chicago takes on Vancouver after Smith's 2-goal performance

The Chicago Blackhawks host the Vancouver Canucks after Craig Smith's two-goal game against the Buffalo Sabres in the Blackhawks' 4-2 loss

OCTOBER 21, 2024 • Associated Press

Scores both goals in loss Smith scored twice on five shots and added four hits in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Sabres.

Impact Smith's goals were separated by 6:20 in the middle of the second period. The 35-year-old winger has been a part-time option for the Blackhawks this season, but he was in the lineup for a third straight game due to the absences of Joey Anderson (illness) and Patrick Maroon (lower body). Smith had 20 points in 75 regular-season outings in a similar bottom-six role with the Stars last year, though the Blackhawks' offense is not nearly as deep or productive, so it wouldn't be surprising to see his scoring drop in 2024-25.

OCTOBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Peterka, Thompson lead Sabres past Blackhawks 4-2

JJ Peterka scored his fourth goal in three games and assisted on a goal by Tage Thompson to lead the Buffalo Sabres past the Chicago Blackhawks 4-2

OCTOBER 20, 2024 • Associated Press