Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Sign Goaltender Jaxon Castor
In a bid to enhance their roster depth, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the AHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have secured goaltender Jaxon Castor on a paid tryout (PTO) contract as of Monday.
Castor’s Performance and Background
Castor, who is 28 years old, has spent parts of the last three seasons within the Penguins organization. This 2023-24 season began with him playing for the Wheeling Nailers in the ECHL, where he recorded a commendable 10-4-1 record across 16 games while maintaining a goals-against average of 2.71 and a save percentage of .899.
In contrast, his previous season in Wheeling saw him encounter challenges, as he logged a 3.65 goals-against average and .872 save percentage after 14 games. Last season, his time with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton team was limited to just one game, and he has made two appearances back with Wheeling this season, showcasing improvement with a 2.38 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage.
Career Journey
Castor’s journey began in the USHL, leading to a four-year collegiate career at St. Cloud State from 2019 to 2023, before he finished the 2022-23 season with the Florida Everblades.
Strategic Implications for the Pittsburgh Penguins
The timing of signing Castor may suggest a strategic shift for the Pittsburgh Penguins, hinting that one of their goaltenders, potentially Filip Larsson, Taylor Gauthier, or Maxim Pavlenko, could be part of the roster traveling to Stockholm, Sweden, for the NHL’s Global Series. This international event will feature two games against the Nashville Predators at the Avicii Arena.
Given that the NHL allows organizations to take three goaltenders on these trips, it’s plausible that one of the aforementioned players has been selected for the journey. As of now, the Penguins have not confirmed this information officially.
Future Prospects
Additionally, speculations are rife about the Penguins possibly solidifying key components of their future core, an aspect that is generating excitement among fans and analysts alike. Stay updated on all Penguins-related news, including roster changes and player insights, by following THN – Pittsburgh Penguins on Google News!
