Ryan Smyth said he feels "great" physically and "absolutely" plans to return for the final year of his contract.
Smyth had just two goals and 13 points in 47 games this season after turning 37 in February. If he wants to keep playing, it'll like be for the Oil since we can't imagine another team taking on his $4.5 million salary next year. However, that doesn't mean he'll be playing in games. It's entirely possible Smyth could spend more time in the press box next season than on the ice.

It remains to be seen if the Edmonton Oilers will have a role for Ryan Smyth next season.
Smyth, who turned 37 in February, is signed through the 2013-14 campaign. However, he's recorded just two goals and 10 points in 42 games this season. "I'm not making excuses ... I know I haven't played as well as I can," Smyth said. "Throughout games this year, it's been inconsistent. Obviously, my offensive production hasn't been as good as it should be. For sure, internally, I'm thinking, `two goals? I'm better than that.' I'm not trying to sugar-coat this. It's not good when you can remember the games you scored in. One was my birthday (Feb. 21 against Minnesota, his last goal). The other was short-handed (against Vancouver Feb. 4)." At this stage in his career, it seems unlikely that he'll bounce back offensively and the real question is if the Oilers will want to consistently use him as a bottom-six forward next season. He could end up spending a lot of time in the press box as they lean more towards younger options.

Ryan Smyth assisted on the Oilers' lone goal in a 3-1 loss Wednesday.
Smyth has two goals and 10 points in 39 games this season. He's in the twilight of his career and probably won't do much offensively in 2013-14.

Moving veteran Ryan Smyth from left wing to center has dramatically decreased the player's performance, according to Jonathan Willis of the Edmonton Journal.
"It's generally difficult to come to a firm conclusion after such a short period of time," Willis writes in his analysis (complete with charts), "but the gap in performance is so large that it seems obvious the Smyth at centre experiment isn't working for the player, and more importantly it isn't working for the team."

Ryan Smyth has a goal and four points in the four games since he was a healthy scratch.
Smyth had an assist while playing a season-high 22 minutes Saturday and has even started to see time on the Oilers' top forward line. We don't expect the old Captain Canada to resurface anytime soon, but Smyth could make himself worth of adding in deeper leagues if he keeps this up.

Ryan Smyth is projected to play alongside Eric Belanger and Nail Yakupov on Saturday.
Smyth spent Tuesday's game in the press box. He has just two points in 12 games this season, but he should pick up the pace somewhat as the campaign progresses.

It looks like Ryan Smyth will probably play on Saturday after being a healthy scratch on Tuesday.
"I'm a competitor so, absolutely, it's tough to take," Smyth said of being scratched. "It's in our nature to play hockey and not sit and watch, but that was the coach's decision. He felt it was best for the team at the time. We'll move forward." Smyth plans to play smarter after accumulating 18 PIM in his last two games.

Ryan Smyth has been taking a lot of bad penalties of late.
Smyth has been called for six minors in the last four games, including two for slashing, two for hooking, a tripping and an interference call. These penalties may be caused by Smyth not being able to keep up with the play anymore, a possibility for the veteran who will turn 37 on Feb. 21. He has only a goal and two points in 12 games this season with a minus-three rating so it is very hard to recommend him at this time.

Ryan Smyth scored his first goal of the season while short-handed in the Oilers 3-2 OT loss to the Vancouver Canucks.
Smyth isn't close to the player he once was, and is now a third line player that will get some special teams time and could move up due to injuries. For now he's not getting the ice time or chances needed to be successful in fantasy formats so steer clear of Smyth unless injuries allow him to move up the depth chart.

Ryan Smyth knows at this stage of his career, he has to take on a bit of a different role.
"I can check. I can kill penalties. Accepting those kind of roles when you are asked to is what makes a good team," Smyth said. He's been an offensive force for most of his career, but he's been on the decline for the last few seasons in that regard and it's hard to see him rebounding at the age of 36. Still, he's worth keeping an eye on if he ends up getting playing time with some of the Oilers' promising young forwards.