Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith will be sidelined for an estimated eight to 10 weeks after undergoing surgery Tuesday in Philadelphia on a core muscle injury, General Manager Don Maloney said.
"We expect him back and 100 percent healthy hopefully before the end of the season," Maloney said.
Smith had been dealing with the issue earlier this season, missing a Nov. 21 game against the Jets and more recently sitting out the past two games. He had a similar surgery in 2004 while he was with the Stars.
"It got to the point where he couldn't play anymore," Maloney said.