Stars' Casey DeSmith sends message to Penguins fans before Saturday's game

The former Penguins goalie is excited to return to PPG Paints Arena for the first time since 2023.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 12:20am

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Dallas Stars goalie Casey DeSmith spoke about his fond memories of playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2017 to 2023 and how special it will be to return to PPG Paints Arena on Saturday, even though he may not get the chance to play. DeSmith said he's looking forward to being back in the environment and seeing the Penguins fans again.

Why it matters

DeSmith's return to Pittsburgh is significant as he was a key part of the Penguins' goaltending tandem during his time with the team. His comments about the special nature of the homecoming and his desire to soak in the atmosphere at PPG Paints Arena show how much the city and the team still mean to him.

The details

DeSmith, 34, said he has a lot of great memories from his time playing for the Penguins and is looking forward to being back in the city, even if he doesn't get the chance to play in the game. He noted that he and his family lived in Pittsburgh during his tenure with the team and have fond memories of their favorite restaurants and other parts of the city. While DeSmith acknowledged that he may not get the start in goal for the Stars on Saturday, he expressed excitement about simply being back in the building and environment he's familiar with from his Penguins days.

  • DeSmith played for the Penguins from 2017 to 2023.
  • DeSmith spoke about his return to Pittsburgh on Friday, March 27, 2026.

The players

Casey DeSmith

A 34-year-old goaltender who played for the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2017 to 2023 and is now with the Dallas Stars.

Jake Oettinger

The Dallas Stars' starting goaltender who was chosen to play against the New York Islanders on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

Glen Gulutzan

The head coach of the Dallas Stars.

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What they’re saying

“Definitely a lot of fun memories here. Obviously, I've been in the West ever since, so I don't get to come back here very often, so definitely special when I get to.”

— Casey DeSmith, Dallas Stars Goaltender

“Is exciting. I've yet to play here, kind of like a return game. So, it's not tomorrow, maybe next year. But obviously, just fun to be in the environment, same building, fans, all that stuff.”

— Casey DeSmith, Dallas Stars Goaltender

“We are trying to fight our way out, and the only way to get out is by competing. So, just keep on doing that (...) Every team goes through it. Nobody's happy about losing, and obviously, maybe the vibes aren't as high, but, you know, you've got to keep them somewhat high to get out of it.”

— Casey DeSmith, Dallas Stars Goaltender

What’s next

DeSmith will see if he gets the chance to play against the Penguins on Saturday, March 28, 2026, which would mark his first game back in Pittsburgh since leaving the team in 2023.

The takeaway

Casey DeSmith's return to Pittsburgh is a meaningful homecoming for the former Penguins goaltender, who has fond memories of his time with the team and is excited to soak in the atmosphere at PPG Paints Arena again, even if he doesn't get the chance to play. His comments about the special nature of the visit and his desire to reconnect with the city and the fans show how much the Penguins organization still means to him.