Casey DeSmith Set to Guard Net Thursday, Reflecting Varied Career Path

Casey DeSmith is slated to start in goal on Thursday against Montreal. DeSmith, a 31-year-old netminder, has had a career marked by fluctuating performance and multiple team changes. After struggling in the 2022-23 season with a 3.17 GAA and .905 save percentage, he showed slight improvement post-All-Star break. He was traded from Pittsburgh to Montreal, then to Vancouver in September, and is competing for a backup role behind Thatcher Demko. Previously, with Pittsburgh, he managed an 11-7-0 record with a 2.54 GAA and .912 save percentage in 26 games during the 2022-23 season, even stepping in due to Tristan Jarry's injury. His NHL career includes a 2.81 GAA and .909 save percentage over 165 games. He signed a new two-year contract with Pittsburgh, locking him in as Jarry's backup through 2023-24, though his fantasy value is considered limited. Earlier in his career, he secured the backup job in Pittsburgh for the 2018-19 season, posting a 15-11-5 record with a 2.75 GAA and three shutouts in 36 games, and was expected to be the No. 2 option behind Matt Murray in 2019-20 before Jarry emerged. He also played 20 starts in the 2022-23 season, earning 11 wins with a 2.79 GAA and .914 save percentage.