Confirmed Signing with Link: [PIT] Penguins re-sign G Casey DeSmith (2 years, $1.8M AAV)

[MMC]

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[izzy]

well thats a good deal

 

[Grouch]

That's pretty cheap....Im thinking he could have gotten a starting nod somewhere for more $$$ and possible another year. Enjoys being a 25 gm/yr backup?

 

[kodoshin]

That's pretty cheap....Im thinking he could have gotten a starting nod somewhere for more $$$ and possible another year. Enjoys being a 25 gm/yr backup?

Really? I mean I feel he has been alright in his role with the Pens but I boggle at the idea of him as a starter anywhere.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Penguins fans have an irrational dislike of him I feel like. He's a reliable backup/1B that's not making a ton of money. I'm a bit uneasy due to his injury issues in the last 2 years, he's been unavailable in each of the last 2 playoffs due to injuries when they really needed him. But with that being said, the money is so cheap that it's hard to complain.

If the Penguins had more money available, I'd prefer for them to go after a better option, but an upgrade on DeSmith is a luxury item that they just didn't have the money for.

 

[orby]

It's a decent deal for a generally good backup goalie. He's less consistent than I'd like but at under 2 mil AAV I can live with it.

 

[jmelm]

He’s an excellent backup, who can probably handle 30-35 games, when healthy. I trust that the Penguins medical staff feel like his injuries the last 2 years were more of a coincidence than a pattern or something chronic. If can stay healthy, this is a great signing.

 

[SEALBound]

When he's hot, he's hot. When he's cold, he's cold.

I think he's capable of shouldering more of a workload than most backups if need be. This also let the Penguins plethora of good goalie prospects mature in the lower leagues until the cream rises to the top.

 

[andora]

Did anyone else hear that sigh from Ontario

 

[BruinsBtn]

Huge mistake from him and his agent. He would have gotten double that on the open market. Complete swindle by Hextall.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

...great deal...he's a more than solid backup...Hextall done good here...

 

[Rabid Ranger]

When he's hot, he's hot. When he's cold, he's cold.

I think he's capable of shouldering more of a workload than most backups if need be. This also let the Penguins plethora of good goalie prospects mature in the lower leagues until the cream rises to the top.

I mean, this is every freaking goaltender in the NHL. The Pens got a reliable goaltender for cheap who can offer more if called upon. This is how you allocate $$$ for a goalie: low AAV, short term.

 

[Grouch]

Really? I mean I feel he has been alright in his role with the Pens but I boggle at the idea of him as a starter anywhere.

Jarry 2.57 GA .915% in 151 starts
DeSmith 2.67 GA .915% in 82 starts

Ya.......a few teams probably would have given him a good look. WORST case would have been he signs to be a 1B and gets at least 30-35 starts and probably would have gotten $2.25 - 2.5m for 2-3 yrs in FA.

 

[MayorofWBS]

When you need him....count on DeSuck to be hurt. Welcome back to the IR Casey!

 

[Extra Texture]

So the plan is just to run with him and Jarry next year, again.

I know the grass isnt always greener, and that a vet option like Holtby or Fleury coming in would be alot more expensive. But I cant help but feel a little underwhelmed when goaltending has been the primary undoing of the Pens postseason, two years straight, and the plan is just "run with the same tandem again."

 

[Flying Dego]

CDS is our goalie version of the Defenses Chad Ruhwedel. Both keep resigning cheap, are serviceable, but have no great qualities.

I expected this..can we please figure out Letang and Malkin now Mr. Hextall?

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDo]

Pros—0.916 sv% over 96 games and 4 seasons ranging from 0.912-0.921.

Cons—core muscle surgeries each of the last two years.

This is fine since the Pens are up against the cap. But, no storybook return of MAF.

 

[Antti]

CDS is our goalie version of the Defenses Chad Ruhwedel. Both keep resigning cheap, are serviceable, but have no great qualities.

I expected this..can we please figure out Letang and Malkin now Mr. Hextall?

Ron's a great GM, he'll figure it out.
In a year, Joel Blomqvist will be ready - he is already good.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

I would rather have Malkin back, and then anybody for $500,000 to be the backup.

Hextall's priorities boggle the mind.

 

[SomeDude]

I would rather have Malkin back, and then anybody for $500,000 to be the backup.

Hextall's priorities boggle the mind.

It's impossible for GMs to work on multiple deals at once, after all.

 

[DrDangles]

Desmith is certainly one of the best backups in the league when he's playing well, but I'd hoped he would move on. Had my heart set on Fleury returning, guess that's not in the cards any longer.

 

[Jag68Sid87]

It's impossible for GMs to work on multiple deals at once, after all.

I'm talking about priorities. What is the worst-case scenario if DeSmith goes to market?

 

[Guttersniped]

Penguins fans have an irrational dislike of him I feel like. He's a reliable backup/1B that's not making a ton of money. I'm a bit uneasy due to his injury issues in the last 2 years, he's been unavailable in each of the last 2 playoffs due to injuries when they really needed him. But with that being said, the money is so cheap that it's hard to complain.

If the Penguins had more money available, I'd prefer for them to go after a better option, but an upgrade on DeSmith is a luxury item that they just didn't have the money for.

It’s an open question how many better options at goal are even available for more money.

The Athletic had DeSmith 5th on their UFA goalie list and it gets worse real fast after him.

The wreckage after him are Holtby, Comrie, Wedgewood, Greiss and Jones (in that order). You know it’s a dire UFA goalie class when Scott Wedgewood is the 8th best one.

All five are under “Tier 3: Useful Depth”.

The second Tier is “Strong Support Players” with Fleury, Husso and Campbell (again, in that order).

The first Tier is “Top End Talent” with Kuemper.

While this can be supplemented with traded goalies, I’m skeptical that many will end up being moved since only a few teams have an excess supply (San Jose? Ottawa?). I guess Georgiev might get shipped out but then the Rangers are shopping for cheap good backup in a brutal UFA market.

Maybe someone steps up to get Gibson but I assume Anaheim has no interest in retaining salary for 5 years.

 

[SomeDude]

I'm talking about priorities. What is the worst-case scenario if DeSmith goes to market?

They have to overpay to fill the roster spot. They have no options within the organization, so it was CDS or a UFA.

 

[The Red Line]

That's a good deal. A lot of teams need goalies I figured he would have hit FA and made over 2 easily.