TRADE TARGET | Canucks could reunite Allvin & Rutherford with former goaltender

If the Canucks head into training camp with how their roster is right now, Spencer Martin is likely to be the projected backup, but will be in tough with Artur Silovs, who's coming off an MVP performance at the 2023 IIHF World Hockey Championship.

While Martin is capable of being the Canucks' backup for the 2023-24 season, the team is likely scouring the trade market for a veteran netminder and there's one name that comes to mind - Casey DeSmith.

DeSmith was dealt to the Montreal Canadiens earlier this summer as part of the three-team Erik Karlsson trade. But with the Montreal Canadiens already having Jake Allen and Samuel Montembeault at their tandem for next season, General Manager Kent Hughes has informed DeSmith that he will look to move him and that he won't have to worry about playing for their AHL affiliate in Laval.

The Rochester, New Hampshire native has some ties to the Canucks organization as well. On July 1st, 2017, DeSmith signed his first NHL contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins, who's General Manager was Jim Rutherford and Assistant General Manager was Patrik Allvin.

DeSmith has one-year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $1.8 million, which is relatively low and could be a manageable number for the Canucks to bring in, despite their cap issues at the moment. DeSmith is also capable of playing 30+ games in a season, which would help the Canucks significantly if there is any injury to Thatcher Demko throughout the 2023-24 campaign.

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