Cam Talbot joins Detroit Red Wings for two years, $2.5 million
Veteran goaltender Cam Talbot signed a two-year, $2.5 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings in free agency
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports - Cam Talbot joins Detroit Red Wings for two years, $2.5 millionThe Detroit Red Wings signed veteran goaltender Cam Talbot to a two-year, $2.5 million contract in free agency, bringing in a third NHL goaltender to its goalie room.
Talbot, 36, was the starter for the Los Angeles Kings last season, going 27-20-6 with a .913 save percentage and a 2.50 goals against average. As tracked by Moneypuck, Talbot also saved 10.7 goals above expected, the sixth highest margin among goalies who cleared the 50 game mark. Talbot's play was good enough to get the Kings into the playoffs, where they lost to Edmonton in the first round.
The cost of Talbot's contract was higher than the $1,793,440 projected value calculated by AFP Analytics, but other interested teams might have added to the price.
Why did the Red Wings sign Talbot?
The Red Wings wanted a goaltender from free agency, but GM Steve Yzerman said ahead of the draft that his team was looking for a third stringer who could play in the AHL.
"We will look to add a goaltender there (in Grand Rapids)," Yzerman said June 21. "And I don't see us really doing three goaltenders (in the NHL) throughout the season. That wasn't really the plan last year either, but injury kinda dictated that."
Now with Talbot, Ville Husso and Alex Lyon in the mix, it's unlikely that any of those three could clear waivers — unless, of course, Yzerman wanted to drop a contract in that fashion.
Now that Husso is allegedly healthy for next season and Lyon has still proven he can be a starter, Talbot factors in as just the third chef in the kitchen that Detroit was going to avoid. This begs the question of whether Yzerman will keep both Husso and Lyon around, especially if keeping both would absorb a roster spot that limits options elsewhere.
Could Talbot be the starter?
With such a successful season in L.A. and a career as a starting caliber goaltender, it feels as though Talbot could be in contention for the Red Wings' starting net. Even at 36, he has the mobility and awareness to keep up. And playing 54 games for the Kings shows that age hasn't slowed him down all that much. He's not an elite goaltender, but he wins games, and that has been the trait that Detroit has looked for in previous goalie signings such as that of Lyon and last year's backup James Reimer.
Granted the production came with a different team facing different competition, but Talbot's numbers last season were better than those of Husso and Lyon. And if Yzerman spent to get a goalie who he can start, Talbot should have a shot at winning the crease. This would render one of Husso and Lyon expendable. Whether that means a trade is on the horizon, or that Detroit is going to waive someone, the next move is complicated by the Talbot signing.
How much does Talbot improve the Red Wings?
Talbot is an improvement if Detroit plans to go with a tandem approach to next season's starts, given his track record and his play last season. But if you were hoping to see Yzerman spend on an elite goalie, especially through trade, then you're probably somewhat miffed.
Talbot is an addition that only costs Detroit cap space and a roster spot. He was one of the best goalies available on the market. And by picking him up, the Red Wings don't have to spend the bag of futures it would take to trade for an elite goalie on the market. Linus Ullmark and Jacob Markstrom were all traded this offseason, while Nashville's Juuse Saros was shopped before being re-signed. Any of those three would've been big upgrades in one of the most important positions on the team. Yzerman saved by not splurging on them.
"We'll look at the goalie market, and if something makes sense for us to do that we think improves us," Yzerman said June 21. "Whether that be via trade or free agency, we're not opposed to doing that. I know we have two, but I do now we need to try to see if we can improve our team, but having said that, I don't anticipate...using prime assets, whatever you would consider those to be, to acquire say an older goaltender that might not be here two, three, four years from now."
Whether that reflects a lack of ambition or not, the Red Wings have not made the playoffs since 2016 and have no guarantee of making it next season. When it comes to rebuilds, Yzerman is patient about wheeling and dealing futures until his teams are sure to be competitive. As much as the patience might be frustrating, and as much as Talbot may or may not improve the Detroit crease, it's not a particularly shocking move by Yzerman.
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