Determining update on Casey DeSmith's future with the Canucks

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Cooper Godin
May 23, 2024 (10:55)

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In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Vancouver Canucks were forced to use three different goaltenders due to an injury to Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith, although the latter was minor.

The injuries left rookie goaltender Arturs Silovs as the team's starter for their final ten games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Silovs played well; frankly, his play should earn him the full-time backup role to Thatcher Demko next season. And it appears that may be the case.

According to Thomas Drance and Rick Dhaliwal, the Canucks were interested in bringing back Casey DeSmith next season. Still, after Silovs' play in the postseason, it doesn't look like he will be returning to Vancouver.

"Likewise, while there was a moment before Silovs' playoff emergence when the Canucks had an interest in bringing backup netminder Casey DeSmith back, we're hearing that ship has sailed given how things played out in the postseason." Drance & Dhaliwal said.

DeSmith, 32, appeared in 29 games this season for the Vancouver Canucks after being traded to them by the Montreal Canadiens just before training camp in September. In those 29 games, DeSmith had a record of 12-9-6 with a 2.85 goals-against average, a .896 save percentage and one shutout.

Should the Canucks decide to go down this route, it would be the right move. Arturs Silovs is ready for a full-time role with the Vancouver Canucks next season, and Casey DeSmith deserves a shot with another team to be their backup goaltender in 2024-25.