Casey DeSmith ProRead 2
With Casey DeSmith
Sliding into Post or Staying above Post on 1T
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Casey DeSmith has not just been one of the best backups and value contracts in the NHL since signing with the Dallas Stars before last season. DeSmith has been a top-15 goalie in the League since then.
Since signing a three-year, $3-million free agent deal — and that’s $3 million total, not per season — the 34-year-old has an adjusted save percentage of plus-0.8%, according to Clear Sight Analytics, which is tied for 12th in the NHL. DeSmith was kind enough to sit down with InGoal after a morning skate earlier this season to share some of the tactical and technical cues that have allowed him to play so well during this Pro Reads video breakdown session.
THE SEQUENCE
DeSmith is facing a controlled power play set up against the Seattle Kraken:
The puck has just been passed up to the top of the zone from DeSmith’s right at this point, so what are the primary threats at this point he needs to consider?
What matters the most about the passing option at the face-off dot to his left?
Does the fact it’s Eeli Tolvanen, who is well known for his shot, affect things?
Based on that information, would you be skating or sliding across if they next pass is to that player? Are you pushing right into your post or above it? Why?
THE SAVE
Watch the save below and ask those same questions:
What stood out to you about the way DeSmith played this cross-ice pass?
Can you think of a reason he slid outside his post rather than into it?
What about the rest of the sequence and his positioning?
THE PRO READ
Now let’s hear from DeSmith on how he saw and managed this chance:
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- DeSmith breaks down his save on a controlled cross-ice power play pass against Seattle, with Eeli Tolvanen as the one-timer threat on the far side.
- DeSmith adjusted his depth when the puck moved to the high slot based on whether the defenseman up high posed a genuine shooting threat — less threat means shallower depth.
- DeSmith slid outside his post rather than into it on the cross-ice pass, a positioning decision tied to his pre-read of Tolvanen's one-timer danger.
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