One of the biggest questions entering the Penguins’ offseason was answered Tuesday when backup goaltender Casey DeSmith was re-signed.

The team’s backup goaltender for three of the past four seasons, DeSmith agreed to a two-year contract extension worth $1.8 per season. He is in the final weeks of a three-year contract that carries a salary cap hit of $1.25 million.

DeSmith, 30, was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent July 13.

This past season, DeSmith appeared in 26 games, had an 11-6-5 record, a 2.79 goals against average, a .914 save percentage and three shutouts.

DeSmith (6-foot-1) entered the 2021 postseason as the team’s starter in net while top goaltender Tristan Jarry was sidelined due to a right foot injury. But DeSmith suffered a groin injury in Game 1 of the series and saw his season come to an end following surgery.

The retention of DeSmith allows the Penguins to keep their battery of Jarry and DeSmith intact for at least two more seasons.

DeSmith initially joined the organization in 2015 by signing a tryout contract with the Wheeling Nailers, the Penguins’ ECHL affiliate. After signing an American Hockey League contract with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2016, DeSmith signed his first NHL deal with the organization — a two-year, two-way contract — in 2017.

According to Cap Friendly, the Penguins now have $21,408,158 of projected salary cap space for the 2022-23 season.

With the NHL’s free agent signing period beginning July 13, they have several players who remain unsigned, including star forward Evgeni Malkin and defenseman Kris Letang.

The Penguins’ remaining unrestricted free agents:

Forwards - Anthony Angello, Brian Boyle, Michael Chaput, Malkin, Rickard Rakell, Evan Rodrigues

Defensemen - Nathan Beaulieu, Letang

Goaltenders - Louis Domingue

Players who remain restricted free agents:

Forwards - Justin Almeida, Jordy Bellerive, Kasper Bjorkqvist, Jan Drozg, Danton Heinen, Kasperi Kapanen, Alex Nylander

Defensemen - Niclas Almari, P.O Joseph, Cam Lee, Will Reilly

Goaltenders - Alex D’Orio

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