Gemel Smith, Justin Abdelkader make season debuts with Grand Rapids

On Saturday, the Detroit Red Wings assigned forward Gemel Smith to the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins on a conditioning loan. Smith, 27, became a Red Wing on Jan. 19 after being claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Givani Smith’s older brother had not yet played a single game at any level in the 2021–22 season while dealing with an abdominal injury. After participating in the Red Wings’ morning skate on Friday, Smith joined the Griffins the following day (players do not need to pass through waivers to be sent to the AHL for conditioning reasons). Wearing No. 54 on the back of his special “Mighty Ducks”-themed jersey, Smith drew into the lineup for the Grand Rapids Griffins’ lineup on Saturday for their game against the Milwaukee Admirals. He was held without a point and recorded zero shots on goal in his first competitive action since the Lightning played the Florida Panthers on May 10, 2021. RELATED READING ON WINGSNATION: Breaking down what Gemel Smith could offer the Red Wings