The Penguins are sticking with Casey DeSmith as their backup goaltender.
The team announced Tuesday that they had agreed to a new two-year contract with DeSmith, who was set to become a free agent July 13. And DeSmith is getting a raise. His contract will have an annual average value of $1.8 million.
That salary slots DeSmith in the middle of the pack among NHL backups.
There was belief that the Penguins might move on from DeSmith this summer after a turbulent 2021-22 season that ended with another groin injury.
DeSmith lost his first four starts, began to build momentum before the Christmas break, then was pulled from back-to-back starts in January. In mid-February, he had a woeful .897 save percentage with wins in just five of his 12 starts.
Later in the season, he got on the same page with new Penguins goalie coach Andy Chiodo and got his game back on track. He went 5-2-1 with a .930 save percentage from March 31 on. That included a 52-save shutout against the Boston Bruins after All-Star goalie Tristan Jarry went down with a fractured foot.
With Jarry sidelined, DeSmith started Game 1 of the first-round series against the New York Rangers. He stopped 48 of 51 shots before exiting the game due to injury in double overtime. Days later, he underwent core muscle surgery.
The Penguins have been exploring upgrades at the position after poor goaltending factored into a first-round playoff exit for the second straight season. But Tuesday, they committed to DeSmith, who soon turns 31, for two more years.
Despite his rough patches over the last three seasons, DeSmith endeared himself to players, the coaching staff and management with his positive attitude and tireless work behind the scenes to try to better both his teammates and himself. Plus, he has the right temperament for a true No. 2, embracing that role.
Still, general manager Ron Hextall is gambling by bringing back DeSmith. Hextall made a similar bet last summer, sticking with Jarry after his disastrous first playoff series as the starter. Jarry ended up rewarding the Penguins for their faith.
DeSmith, who went undrafted out of the University of New Hampshire, started his pro career in 2015 with the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers. He ascended to the American Hockey League and then the NHL, debuting with the Penguins in 2017.
DeSmith has played in 96 games at the NHL level over the past five seasons, going 43-28-11 with a 2.67 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage.
He signed a three-year, $3.75 million deal with the Penguins three years ago.
