Coyotes goalie Mike Smith out eight to 10 weeks

Arizona Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith is expected to miss eight-10 weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a core muscle on Tuesday, according to general manager Don Maloney.

"We expect him back and 100 percent healthy hopefully before the end of the season," Maloney said.

Smith, who has been the Coyotes' starting goaltender since 2011, is 10-9-1 on the season with a .901 save percentage.

Smith had a similar injury when he was a member of the Dallas Stars in 2004.

When asked if the Coyotes would be looking to add another netminder to the roster via trade, Maloney seemed to suggest it was a possibility.

"We had not been looking at goaltending per se, acquiring somebody else," Maloney said. "But that will be something that we’ll have to at least give a little attention, see if there’s someone else out there that makes us stronger."

Trade speculation aside, the Coyotes, who are currently second in the Pacific Division behind the Los Angeles Kings, will now look to backup goalie Anders Lindback to lead the way.