Zack Smith will miss three-to-four months for the Blackhawks after having back surgery Friday.
Smith, a forward, was shut down for the season Feb. 29 with the injury that he was battling this season. He had 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 50 games this season, his first with Chicago since he was acquired by Chicago from Ottawa this past July for Artem Anisimov.
Smith, who’ll be 32 in April, is signed for one more season at $3.25 million on a contract that includes a modified no-trade clause.