One month after they claimed him, the Detroit Red Wings placed Gemel Smith on waivers.
"It gives us flexibility," coach Jeff Blashill said Friday afternoon. Smith, 27, had one assist and was minus-2 in three appearances.
The Wings (23-22-6) don't play again until Wednesday when they host the Colorado Avalanche, at which point Vladislav Namestnikov (lower body) expected to be available. That would then enable the Wings to slot Joe Veleno as the fourth-line center, essentially making Smith extraneous.
"It gives us flexibility to send guys to the minors," Blashill said. "Just because somebody goes on waivers, it doesn't mean if he doesn't get claimed, he doesn't stay here.