An analysis for Fansided's Editor In Leaf argues for All-Star Goalie Cam Talbot as a potential add for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Talbot, 36, was named as an NHL All-Star for this season as the representative for the Los Angeles Kings, having a strong year for L.A. with a 14-12-5 record with a 2.52GAA and .913SV%.
Arguably, Talbot fits the Leafs as a free agent more, as mentioned in the article, although Talbot, only making $1M until the end of the season, could fit the Leafs salary cap with a not-so-heavy price. If he was to sign as a free agent, it's likely Talbot will cost more than his current price.
Talbot, expected to be one of the top Goalie Free Agents on the market, could foster a tough bidding war in a year with a lack of certain starting talent, with a few teams that could use an upgrade in net. One benefit Toronto has is that Talbot, a native of Caledonia, ON, is a boyhood Leafs fan.
The Leafs would value from the veteran Talbot to be a tandem partner with Joseph Woll, being a transitional Goalie with the expectation being that Denis Hildeby, currently in the AHL, will eventually make the leap. Talbot, who has played a heavy workload for Los Angeles, would be a safe option to contribute as a starter if needed, although some teams may rather give him more to start full-time, one of those team being the Kings, who lack depth in net, and are hanging on to the end of the Western Conference playoff race.
Toronto, having difficulties finding a partner alongside the currently hot Joseph Woll, has faced difficulties with Ilya Samsonov, who has begun to show a return to form in recent games, and Martin Jones, who made a surprise hot streak to start his Leafs tenure, but has cooled down in recent games.
Talbot could be a valuable option either this year or next as a reliable piece to a Goalie tandem that has struggled to find consistency this year.
Read more at Editor In Leaf - The Soon To Be NHL All-Star the Leafs Should Consider Adding
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Should the Toronto Maple Leafs make a move for Talbot? | ||
Yes | 447 | 37.8 % |
No | 735 | 62.2 % |
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