The acquisition of Casey DeSmith by the Montreal Canadiens in a three-team trade involving the Pittsburgh Penguins and Erik Karlsson presents an intriguing opportunity for the goaltender to establish himself as a key player for the Canadiens.
During his time with the Penguins, DeSmith showcased his potential as a skilled goaltender, even in a backup role. Now, with the Canadiens, he has a chance to compete for a more prominent position and potentially become the team’s goalie of the future.
Backing up the experienced Jake Allen provides DeSmith with a mentorship opportunity that could contribute significantly to his development. Learning from Allen’s expertise and working in tandem with him could help DeSmith refine his techniques and grow both mentally and physically as a goaltender.
However, DeSmith won’t have an easy path to secure his position as the backup goalie. Competition from other goaltenders like Sam Montembault and top prospect Jakub Dobes will be fierce. Montembault has shown promise in the past, and Dobes brings his own set of skills and accomplishments.
DeSmith’s NHL experience might give him an advantage, but he’ll need to demonstrate his determination, work ethic, and adaptability during training camp. While his experience is valuable, he won’t underestimate the hunger and potential of his competitors.
Overall, DeSmith’s arrival in Montreal presents an exciting opportunity for him to establish a significant role within the Canadiens’ goaltending lineup. If he can capitalize on this chance and continue to develop, he could become a key contributor to the team’s success in the future.
ShareCasey DeSmith #1 of the Pittsburgh Penguins walks out of the locker room for their game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on February 14, 2023 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The Montreal Canadiens have made a strategic move by acquiring Casey DeSmith as part of a three-team trade that sent Erik Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins. This trade not only shakes up the roster but also opens up new possibilities for DeSmith’s career trajectory.
While DeSmith showed promise during his time with the Penguins, he now has a golden opportunity to establish himself as the goalie of the future for the Montreal Canadiens.
Is Casey DeSmith the next great Montreal Canadiens netminder or merely a placeholder?
During his tenure with the Penguins, DeSmith had moments of brilliance between the pipes, displaying his potential as a top-tier goaltender. Despite playing second fiddle to Tristan Jarry, DeSmith managed to shine in several starts, leaving no doubts about his skills on the ice.
However, the time has come for DeSmith to seek a more prominent role, and the Montreal Canadiens provide the perfect platform for him to do so.
In Montreal, DeSmith will find himself backing up the experienced netminder Jake Allen. This mentorship and tandem could serve as a crucial stepping stone for his development.
Working alongside Allen, who himself has proven his mettle as a dependable goalie, DeSmith can absorb valuable insights, fine-tune his techniques and grow both mentally and physically as a goaltender.
The competition for the backup goalie position will be fierce, with Sam Montembault and highly-regarded prospect Jakub Dobes also vying for the spot. Montembault has shown potential in the past, but DeSmith’s NHL experience should give him an edge.
However, the real wild card in this equation is Jakub Dobes, the No. 10 ranked prospect in Montreal’s system. Dobes, who excelled in the NCAA with Ohio State, brings his own set of skills and accomplishments to the table.
DeSmith will need to bring his A-game to training camp and showcase his determination, work ethic and adaptability to secure his spot. His experience playing at the NHL level will likely be an advantage, especially in high-pressure situations.
However, he will likely not underestimate the hunger and potential of his competitors.
Casey DeSmith’s arrival in Montreal presents a promising opportunity for him to carve out a significant role in the team’s goaltending hierarchy. His experience, coupled with the guidance of Jake Allen, and the challenge posed by talented competitors set the stage for a captivating battle for the backup goalie position.
If DeSmith can seize this opportunity and further develop his skills, he might just solidify his place as a key figure in the Canadiens’ future success between the pipes.