New Jersey Devils place Brendan Smith on injured reserve; recall Santeri Hatakka

The 34-year-old has one goal and five points through 34 games this season. Recently Smith became a villain to Chicago Blackhawks fans after crushing Connor Bedard with a big hit. Smith joined the Devils last season after signing a two-year contract carrying a $1.1 million cap hit.

The Detroit Red Wings originally selected Smith No. 27 overall in the first round of the 2007 NHL Draft. He spent the first six seasons of his National Hockey League career in Detroit before being traded to the New York Rangers in 2017.

The Devils’ injury list is still extensive and includes Dougie Hamilton, Tomas Nosek, Jonas Siegenthaler, Ondrej Palat and superstar Jack Hughes.

Meanwhile, the Devils have recalled Santeri Hatakka from the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League. The 23-year-old Finnish defender has tallied two goals and seven assists for nine points in 28 games this season. The San Jose Sharks originally selected Hatakka, he played nine NHL games with the Sharks during the 2021-22 campaign. Hatakka was a part of the package sent to New Jersey in the Timo Meier blockbuster trade.

The Devils will play the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday and the Dallas Stars on Saturday in back-to-back games.