Edmonton Oilers Goalie Fails Physical Returns Home

The Edmonton Oilers announced veteran goaltender Mike Smith has failed his physical and has been sent home. He'll wind up on LTIR to start the 2022-23 season.

Ken Holland said that Mike Smith failed his physical and returned to Kelowna, B.C. He’ll be LTIR bound.

— Daniel Nugent-Bowman (@DNBsports) September 21, 2022

This could be it for Smith who at 40-years-old has certainly enjoyed a long career. He's signed for this season at a $2 million cap hit. The Oilers went out and signed Jack Campbell this offseason and it's a changing of the guard in Edmonton.

As for Smith, he appeared in 28 regular season games and 16 Stanley Cup Playoff games in 2021-22. It was no secret the team was looking to go in a different direction for this season in their crease, however seeing Smith potentially go out like this is not ideal.

Let's hope 'Smitty' can get healthy and back on the ice to help his Oilers teammates later on this season.

Photo credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports