Red Wings' rescheduled games announced; Detroit claims Gemel Smith

Ted Kulfan
The Detroit News

Detroit —  February will be a bit busier than the Red Wings originally thought.

The NHL on Wednesday announced a comprehensive update to the 2021-22 regular-season schedule, one that will enable all 32 teams to complete their respective 82-game seasons by the regular season's original closing date of Friday, April 29.

February became a viable option for rescheduled games in the NHL, after the league and the players' association mutually decided to pull out of the Winter Olympics, which opened a three-week window in the calendar.

A total of 102 games needed to be scheduled because of COVID playing havoc with the NHL's December schedule.

The Red Wings updated schedule includes the below changes:

► The Wings' original game for Jan. 18 in Philadelphia will now take place Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m.

► The Wings' game against Philadelphia scheduled for Feb. 23 at Little Caesars Arena has been switched to Saturday, Feb. 12, at noon.

► The Wings' game originally set for Dec. 23 in Minnesota, has been rescheduled for Monday, Feb. 14 in Minnesota beginning at 8 p.m.

► The Wings' game scheduled for Dec. 27 at the New York Rangers has been rescheduled for Thursday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m.

► The Wings' home game against Colorado, originally scheduled for Dec. 20, will take place Feb. 23 at LCA at 7:30 p.m.

► The Wings' game at home against Toronto, set for April 26, has been rescheduled for Saturday, Feb. 26, at 7:30 p.m.

► The Wings' game set for Dec. 29 at the New York Islanders will now take place Thursday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m.

► And, finally, the Wings' game scheduled for Feb. 26 in Toronto has been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 26, at 7 p.m.

Wings claim Smith

The Red Wings have added another Smith to the organization.

Forward Gemel Smith was claimed off waivers Wednesday, joining his younger brother Givani in the Wings' organization.

The Tampa Bay Lightning put Smith on waivers Tuesday.

The Red Wings claimed forward Gemel Smith off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Smith, 27, has yet to play this season because of a lower-body injury. He is expected to land on the Grand Rapids Griffins roster initially to get into playing shape.

Smith played in five games with Tampa last season, with three assists and a plus-3 rating. He also appeared in three games with Tampa's AHL affiliate in Syracuse, earning three goals and six points. 

Gemel Smith has played in 88 career NHL games with the Lightning, Boston Bruins and Dallas Stars, recording 12 goals and 24 points. Smith also has skated in 286 career AHL games, with 76 goals and 172 points. 

Smith was originally drafted by Dallas in the fourth round, 104th overall, in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @tkulfan