The Pittsburgh Penguins have found a third-string goaltender, signing Louis Domingue to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will carry an NHL salary of $750K and according to CapFriendly, a $300K AHL salary.
Domingue, 29, is the epitome of an NHL journeyman backup, having played for four different teams since 2019. It’s been several years since he was a tandem option, but does bring 140 games of NHL experience to the table, more than you can say for many of the league’s third-string options. That’s exactly what he’ll be if nothing else changes in Pittsburgh, where Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith are obviously ahead of him on the depth chart.
Quite removed from the goaltender that went 21-5 for the powerhouse Tampa Bay Lightning in 2018-19, Domingue represents a veteran option for the Penguins as they try to once again contend for the Stanley Cup. He cleared waivers in each of the last three seasons, so there is little risk of losing him unless a team finds themselves desperate at the end of training camp.
The question now is whether he can still be an effective option after playing so little last season. He appeared in just one game with the Calgary Flames and three with the Stockton Heat, spending most of the year on the taxi squad instead. His career save percentage of .904 is heavily weighted by early-career results, as he has just an .882 in 18 appearances since the end of 2018-19.
Nice depth to have on hand
Pretty much just confirms that they’re rolling with DeSmith & Tristan
I’m fine with it both goalies have potential to be above average starters in the league
Both guys should be eager to learn and compete for the job this season.
And if they fail MAF2022
The second best move Hextall has made as Pens GM…is the signing of an AHL goalie. Yay.
@forwhomjoshbelltolled – Hextall probably wanted to sign himself as the #3, but Burkie said “NO. Bad glove-hand-itis, too.”