First-rate second stringer: Casey DeSmith upgrades Canucks backup goaltending

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Due to Casey DeSmith, the Vancouver Canucks are wanting much less and fewer like a backup goalie graveyard.

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Brian Burke launched that phrasing to the Canucks lexicon when he was the membership’s basic supervisor in February 2001. He had simply traded slumping starter Felix Potvin to the Los Angeles Kings and defined that, “I’ve by no means seen a metropolis within the NHL the place individuals love goalies greater than they do right here. In the event you have a look at the goalies up to now, in the event that they play nicely, they’re gods. However this is perhaps a goalie graveyard while you begin struggling.”

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It’s the second stringers who’ve had the problems with the Canucks in latest reminiscence.

Prior to now 5 full seasons — miss the 2 campaigns affected by the COVID pandemic — Vancouver’s foremost backup netminders have averaged seven wins a 12 months. In contrast, the 5 Stanley Cup champions over that very same interval have averaged 17 wins from their No. 2 goalies throughout these common seasons.

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That brings us to DeSmith, who has come off as each bit the succesful understudy to Thatcher Demko within the Vancouver cage to this point this season. He has common a 6-3-2 document, a 2.49 targets in opposition to common, and a .917 save proportion going into motion on Tuesday. Demko carried a 17-7-1 mark, with a 2.46 targets in opposition to common and a .917 save proportion into the go to from the Ottawa Senators.

You possibly can argue that DeSmith is a product of an improved Vancouver workforce. You can even argue that his efforts are a part of why the squad is healthier. 

He’s yet one more Pittsburgh Penguins alum, coming to Vancouver simply earlier than the season after a short pit cease with the Montreal Canadiens. He had stints as a starter in his 5 years in Pittsburgh, however largely crammed the backup position.

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DeSmith understands the ask right here. He understands that he might make 45 saves in a 1-0 win in his subsequent sport and never get one other begin for an additional couple of weeks.

“I’ve a job to do. My job is to get that 45-save shutout and get that win for the workforce, after which help Demmer and the workforce the subsequent sport I don’t play,” stated DeSmith, who is an element that group that has adopted workforce president Jim Rutherford and basic supervisor Patrick Alvin right here from the Penguins. “I’m completely high-quality with my job. I take a number of delight once I’m handed the baton. I take delight in that one sport.

“The problem for me is that having that mindset can result in strain. I do know that I’m going to get one sport per week or each couple of weeks. I actually need to be there for the workforce once I get the possibility.”

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DeSmith, 32, performed collegiately with the New Hampshire Wildcats. Their Hockey East league rivals embrace the Boston Faculty Eagles, who depend Demko, 28, as an alum. One among Demko’s first wins as a freshman with Boston Faculty got here on Dec. 7, 2013 in New Hampshire, as he made 28 saves in a 2-1 victory over the Wildcats, who bought a 17-stop outing that night time from DeSmith.

“I knew the position I used to be getting into right here,” stated the 6-foot, 180-pound DeSmith, who’s a Rochester, N.H., native. “I used to be completely happy to do it.

“I respect Demmer so much as a goalie. I at all times thought he was one of many high goalies within the league.

“He pushes me to be higher. It’s inspiring to look at him play, particularly with the success he’s had to this point this 12 months. He’s a enjoyable man to root for. He works actually, actually arduous on and off ice.”

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Jamie McLennan is a TSN analyst now, however he was a benchmark backup. He seconded Roberto Luongo with the Florida Panthers in 2005-06 when Luongo performed 75 video games. He was the No. 2 man with the Calgary Flames the next 12 months when Miikka Kiprusoff bought in 74 video games.

He believes mindset is paramount within the position.

“All people within the NHL was a star in junior or in school. Then the league types you out,” stated McLennan, 52, an 11-year NHL veteran who was the second goalie picked within the 1991 NHL Draft, going within the third spherical to the New York Islanders.

“As soon as that occurs, it’s the way you deal with it with self analysis. If I’m a man who thinks I’m a first-line participant however I’m actually a fourth-line expertise, then I’m doubtless going to be disruptive and I received’t be within the league very lengthy. You want a practical view of self.

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“As soon as it turned clear I used to be going to be a backup, as an alternative of pouting I made a decision that I used to be going to work to be among the finest backups. I used to be going to be dependable and in addition good within the room. You must be a superb teammate. You could have do what you may to assist, like being good on pre-scouts. You must be greater than a man who sits on the bench carrying a ball cap 10 out each 12 video games.

“There’s nothing improper with eager to push for extra, however you additionally need to have practical expectations and a capability to learn the room.”

The Penguins dealt DeSmith to the Canadiens on Aug. 8 as a part of the three-way take care of the San Jose Sharks that introduced defenceman Erik Karlsson to Pittsburgh. From Montreal, DeSmith was instantly moved to Vancouver on Sept. 19 in change for winger Tanner Pearson and a 2025 NHL Draft third-round decide.

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DeSmith is a pending unrestricted free agent, wrapping up a two-year take care of a cap hit of $1.8 million. He was 58-44-15, with a 2.81 targets in opposition to common and a .912 save proportion in his profession with Pittsburgh. He had his busiest 12 months final season and his numbers took a success, as he had a 3.17 targets in opposition to common and a .905 save proportion to go along with a 15-16-4 document. 

On account of accidents with Demko, Vancouver needed to rely closely on different goalies final season. Spencer Martin wound up 11-15-1, with a 3.99 targets in opposition to common and a .871 save proportion. In 2021-22, Jaroslav Halak was Demko’s foremost backup and he completed 4-7-2, with a 2.94 targets in opposition to common and a .903 save proportion.

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