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January 24, 2025

Blackhawks place forward Craig Smith on IR with nagging back injury - NBC Sports

NBC Sports

The Chicago Blackhawks have placed veteran forward Craig Smith on injured reserve due to a recurring back injury. Smith has not played since January 8, when he logged around 10 minutes in a victory against Colorado. This injury marks another setback for the 35-year-old, who also missed time earlier in the season with a back issue. In his first season with the Blackhawks, Smith has contributed six goals and five assists over 30 games.

In response to the roster change, the Blackhawks have recalled Ethan Del Mastro from their AHL affiliate in Rockford, while sending defenseman Wyatt Kaiser back to the AHL. Del Mastro, a fourth-round pick in the 2021 draft, made his NHL debut last April.

Under interim coach Anders Sorensen, the Blackhawks have a record of 7-12-2. They are set to face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday night. Additionally, the team has signed forward AJ Spellacy to a three-year contract that extends through the 2026-27 season, following a strong performance in training camp and a productive season in the OHL.

How significant is Craig Smith's injury in the context of the Blackhawks' season?What are the implications of AJ Spellacy's contract for the team's strategy?How can the Blackhawks improve their performance under interim coaching?What role might Ethan Del Mastro play in the Blackhawks' future?

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@Craig Smith | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL

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https://www.nbcsports.com/nhl/news/blackhawks-plac..

January 23, 2025

Blackhawks place forward Craig Smith on IR with a nagging back injury

The Associated Press

Toronto Star

Blackhawks place forward Craig Smith on IR with a nagging back injury

The Chicago Blackhawks have placed veteran forward Craig Smith on injured reserve due to a persistent back injury. Smith, who has not played since January 8, has contributed six goals and five assists in 30 games during his first season with Chicago. Previously, he was on IR from December 20 to 31 because of the same injury. In his absence, the Blackhawks recalled Ethan Del Mastro from Rockford, while defenseman Wyatt Kaiser was assigned to their AHL affiliate. Del Mastro, a fourth-round draft pick in 2021, previously made his NHL debut last April.

Under interim coach Anders Sorensen, the Blackhawks have struggled, recording a 7-12-2 record. They are set to face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday night. Additionally, the Blackhawks announced a three-year contract with forward AJ Spellacy, which carries a nearly $1 million salary cap hit. The 18-year-old impressed during training camp after being drafted in the third round last year and has tallied 11 goals and 14 assists in 40 games with Windsor of the OHL this season.

What are the implications of Craig Smith's injury on the Blackhawks' lineup?How has Craig Smith performed since joining the Blackhawks?How does AJ Spellacy's contract impact the team's future?What strategies could the Blackhawks implement to improve their performance?