“I’m not expecting Smitty to play this year,” Oilers GM Ken Holland said. “He’s got a lot of health issues.” Edmonton signed Jack Campbell to a five-year, $25 million contract, so he's expected to be the new team starter. Stuart Skinner will serve as the backup assuming the Oilers make no more goaltending-related moves. As for Smith, he's 40-years-old, so if he's unable to play in 2022-23, that unfortunately might mark the end of his career. If this is the end, he'll close out with a 299-263-78 record, 2.70 GAA, and .912 save percentage in 670 career games.

"Now we know that the 40 year old has dealt with a string of injuries and it's highly likely that Smith will go on long-term injury reserve for the remainder of his contract, which only has one more year on it at $2.2 million," said Dreger on Insider Trading Thursday evening. Edmonton is expected to be active in free agency for a goaltender or two as a result. Smith was uncertain about his future following Edmonton's playoff run. 

Smith does have one season left on his contract, but of course he still has the option to retire. He's 40-years-old and found the 2021-22 campaign challenging because of the injuries he went through along the way. “I don’t know where I’m going to be four months from now," Smith said.

“There’s no participation medals,” said Smith after the Oilers' 6-5 overtime loss in Game 4. “We lost, we’re done. We got the lead and it seemed like when we got the lead they came at us in waves and we couldn’t withstand that, couldn’t get some saves, couldn’t get the bounces. Ultimately, they get another break at the end (Makar’s shot was tipped by Lehkonen as he reached towards Smith’s glove, and then reached around for the winner).” Edmonton ultimately got further than most people thought they would be reaching the Western Conference Final. However, it's hard to see the silver lining so soon after being eliminated. It has to be especially rough for Smith, who is running out of chances at the age of 40. He has one more year left on his contract.