On Friday, the Penguins announced their decision to extend goaltender Casey DeSmith’s contract for at least three more years at $1.25 million annually. While the deal was extremely friendly for the team and its financial assets going forward, it rose an obvious question.
While keeping three capable NHL netminders in the rotation, especially with the Penguins’ history of injury at that position, is a fruitful endeavor, it tends to cause a future road block against the cap and depth chart. The chips are falling almost perfectly for a significant, money-moving deal at the impending trade deadline.