The Coyotes recalled forward Nathan Smith from the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners on Monday, according to a team announcement. It’s his first recall of the season. The move comes under emergency conditions, meaning the Coyotes may be without a second regular forward in addition to Barrett Hayton (lower-body, day-to-day) for Wednesday’s game against the Stars.
Arizona picked up the signing rights to Smith, 25, in a trade with the Jets in 2022 that saw the Coyotes take on the remainder of center Bryan Little’s contract, who last played in the 2019-20 season but will not play again due to a ruptured eardrum. The former Minnesota State University standout and 2022 Olympian with the United States signed a two-year entry-level deal shortly thereafter and re-upped on a one-year, two-way deal ($775K/$115K/$165K) upon expiry last summer.
Smith is settling into professional life after a disappointing campaign with Tucson last year. He’s already matched 2022-23’s point total in 16 fewer games and has improved defensively, recording nine goals and 27 points with an even rating in 48 games. He hasn’t played in the NHL since a four-game call-up in March last year.
In 14 career NHL appearances over the 2021-22 and 2022-23 campaigns, Smith recorded two goals, two assists, and a -2 rating while averaging 12:14 per game. The Tampa native is a natural center but struggled in the faceoff dot during his NHL stints, winning 40.5% of his draws.
Smith is still waiver-exempt, although that will lapse next season if the Coyotes opt to bring him back. If they choose to issue him a qualifying offer, he’ll be an RFA with arbitration rights this summer.
Barrett Hayton is starting to look like a 1st round bust!