Ryan Lomberg knocks Cole Smith out of the game with a huge hit.

The Nashville Predators have lost the services of veteran forward Cole Smith for what remains of today's game against the Calgary Flames, but the concern now will surround how long Smith might miss as a result of an ugly looking injury.

Smith and the Predators were all tied up with the Flames roughly midway through the first period when Flames veteran forward Ryan Lomberg found an opportunity to make an impact. Lomberg, who has earned a reputation over the years for his hard physical style of play, would come flying halfway across the ice to separate Smith from the puck with a monster hit.

Lomberg would find his mark and not only did he successfully separate Smith from the puck, but he drove him hard into the boards along the Predators bench, with the impact of the blow heard throughout the building.

It is unclear if it was the hit itself that caused the injury or if the angle at which Smith would impact the boards led to the issue, but either way Smith appeared to be in considerable pain on the ice following the hit. To his credit he did manage to make his way back to the bench under his own power but he could be seen struggling to get back to the locker room.

Here's the video replay:

The Predators have officially confirmed Smith will not return: