PITTSBURGH – Pittsburgh Penguins are sticking to Casey Desmith, who on Tuesday signed a two-year contract extension with an average annual value of 1.8 million on the team’s No. 2 goal.
The signature gives Penguin a reliable alternative to all-star Tristan Jerry. Desmith, 30, played 26 games for Pittsburgh in 2021-22, averaging 2.79 goals and saving .914 on 11-6-5. His three shutouts in 2018-19 reached a career high. He set a franchise record on April 21 for the Boston Bruins with 52 shots.
Pittsburgh’s top scorer Jerry was sidelined due to injury and Dismith entered the playoffs, but was ruled out due to a muscle injury in the second overtime of Game 1 of the Penguins’ first-round series with the New York Rangers. He underwent surgery in early May to repair the injury and is expected to be ready when training camp begins in September.
The signing earned Dismith more than the 1. 1.25 million he paid until his contract expires next week. Since debuting in the NHL in 2017, Dismith has been consistent, though not shiny. He has a career-best 42-28-11 record with 2.67 goals and a .915 saving percentage.