Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith will get his first start of the season Monday night against the Ottawa Senators, the team has announced.
The Oilers, who are presently 6-7 and lacking depth in net, waived Troy Grosenick in anticipation of Smith’s return. Grosenick had been brought in after Smith was placed on long-term injured reserve earlier in the month.
“I’m really excited to get back in the net,” Smith said. “I feel like I’m in a good spot mentally and physically.”
Smith returned to the Oilers this past off-season on a one-year, $2 million deal. The 38-year-old appeared in 39 games for Edmonton in 2019-20, winning 19 of his 37 starts and had a .902 save percentage and 2.95 goals-against average.
Mikko Koskinen has started 12 of the Oilers’ 13 games so far, with Stuart Skinner serving as backup.
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