Steve Smith’s aching back will keep the veteran defenseman out of action for at least two more weeks and possibly longer, the Blackhawks said Tuesday.
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Trainer Mike Gapski said Smith is suffering from what he described as “an irritated disc” in his lower back.
“It’s not really bulging, but it’s protruding a little,” Gapski said. “It’s causing muscle spasms.”
Smith is in Chicago doing exercises and working with a therapist.
“I spoke with the therapist,” Gapski said, “and he said if he can get the disc back in place and let the outside heal a bit, he should be able to control it. He thinks he can get the disc under control in two or three weeks and then can start exercises to strengthen it.”
Smith said he has had the problem in the past, “but I’ve only missed three games with it.” He’ll miss a lot more this time, probably as many as 10.
Coach Craig Hartsburg said the team does not want to rush Smith back too soon.
“We want to get his back so when he does come back he’s ready for the rest of the year,” Hartsburg said.
The Hawks are carrying only six defensemen and, with a roster spot open, can add another without placing Smith on the injured list.
Can he Hackett? Hartsburg wanted to get backup goalie Jeff Hackett into a game sometime soon–but not this soon. Hackett replaced Ed Belfour in goal at the 7:47 mark of the second period Tuesday night when Dimitri Khristich’s goal gave the Kings a 5-2 lead.
“I can’t tell you which game, but I know we want to get him in a couple of games,” said Hartsburg before the game, noting that the Hawks have 12 games in 22 days.
The Hawks have back-to-back games on three consecutive weekends, starting with this one when they play in Hartford Saturday and return Sunday to play Calgary, a team Hackett has beaten more times (4) than any other in his career.
At the same time, Hartsburg pointed out, “we want to get Eddie on a roll, too.”