Detroit Red Wings
Smith Should Boost Red Wings Depth Scoring
Winger has five 20-goal seasons as NHLer
Goals are becoming harder to come by for the Detroit Red Wings. Depth of scoring has proven a problem for the club all season long.
In recently recalling left-winger Elmer Soderblom from the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins and acquiring veteran center Craig Smith from the Chicago Blackhawks at the NHL trade deadline, Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman believes he is moving to add more offensive punch to his bottom-six forwards.
UPDATE: The #RedWings have acquired forward Craig Smith and goaltender Petr Mrazek from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Joe Veleno. pic.twitter.com/XV7DsaRMtq
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 7, 2025
Smith is a five-time 20-goal scorer as an NHLer.
“Historically, Craig has been a guy that’s been able to shoot the puck in the net a little bit and, and we can use a little bit of that,” Yzerman said. “I think he’ll be a guy that can generate a little bit of offense, create some chances and hopefully they go in not only for him, but the guys he’s playing with.”
Red Wings Lacking Depth Scoring
That would certainly be of aid to Detroit’s cause. Alex DeBrincat (29), Dylan Larkin (25), Lucas Raymond (22) and Patrick Kane (15) have combined for 91 of Detroit’s 179 goals this season. That works out to 50.8% of the club’s tallies.
Beyond them, only Jonatan Berggren (10) and Marco Kasper (10) have reached double digits. Tyler Motte has scored twice. Christian Fischer, lost on waivers Thursday to the Columbus Blue Jackets, lit one red lamp. Joe Veleno, moved out in the Smith trade, was good for five goals.
Jonatan Berggren's rebound tally in tight gives the Red Wings the lead!#LGRW pic.twitter.com/Gt11DvhGIU
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) March 7, 2025
Michael Rasmussen has scored nine goals in a bottom-six role. However, guys counted on to produce like JT Compher (seven) and Vladimir Tarasenko (eight) – haven’t.
Smith has nine goals in 40 games for the Blackhawks this season. That’s a 19-goal pace.
Yzerman admitted that lack of depth scoring is a concern.
“We’re trying to address it a little bit,” Yzerman said. “Get more five-on-five scoring, a little bit more out of our bottom – I don’t say the bottom, but out of up and down the lineup.”
Shine Recalled, Mazur To IR
Neither Smith or goalie Petr Mrazek, who was also added from the Blackhawks in the trade that sent center Veleno to Chicago, are available for Friday’s game at Washington.
Veteran forward Dominik Shine was given a recall from the AHL Griffins. The 31-year-old right-winger collected an assist in a four-game stint with the Red Wings earlier in the season.
Meanwhile, forward Carter Mazur was placed on IR with an upper-body injury. He was hurt two shifts into his NHL debut during Thursday’s 4-2 loss to Utah.
