The Pittsburgh Penguins have long since lost the services of forward Reilly Smith.
Head coach Mike Sullivan indicated at a press conference Friday that his 32-year-old veteran has an “upper body injury” and that it is “long-term.”
Smith was injured the previous day in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks. He suffered a check in the first third and had to return to the bench in pain. He then tried to get back on the ice, but was unsuccessful.
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The right winger is playing his first season in Pittsburgh after being acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in a trade last June. The Pens gave up a third-round pick in the 2024 draft to acquire him.
In 40 games this season, Smith found the target eight times and had 12 assists for 20 points.
The Penguins return to action on Saturday when they visit the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena.
Before Friday night's games in the National League, the Pens were in sixth place in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 20-15-5.