Sansided
Eyes On Isles
Editorials

New York Islanders Starting Goalie Available at 2018 NHL Draft

ST LOUIS, MO - MAY 17: Dainius Zubrus #9 of the San Jose Sharks (not pictured) scores an empty net goal during the third period against the St. Louis Blues in Game Two of the Western Conference Final during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center on May 17, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - MAY 17: Dainius Zubrus #9 of the San Jose Sharks (not pictured) scores an empty net goal during the third period against the St. Louis Blues in Game Two of the Western Conference Final during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center on May 17, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
facebooktwitterreddit
3 of 5
CALGARY, AB – MARCH 13: Cam Talbot #33 of the Edmonton Oilers in action against the Calgary Flames during an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on March 13, 2018 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB – MARCH 13: Cam Talbot #33 of the Edmonton Oilers in action against the Calgary Flames during an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on March 13, 2018 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)

Cam Talbot | Edmonton Oilers

Record:67 games, 31-31-3, 3.02GAA, .908SV%
Status: $4.167 million/1 year

Apparently, the Edmonton Oilers are shopping their starter and former New York Rangers backup Cam Talbot. For…reasons. It’s Peter Chiarelli so who knows what he’s doing exactly.

Regardless of Chiarelli’s goals, Talbot’s appeal to the Islanders is obvious. Talbot is without question a starter in the NHL. His last three years with the Oilers have proven that without a doubt. Which is why trading him seems confusing.

I suppose Peter Chiarelli has a tonne of faith in recently acquired KHL goalie and former New York Islanders draft pick Mikko Koskinen.

Koskinen’s $2.5 million cap hit is certainly much less than Talbot’s $4.167 million hit, but is Koskinen going to be better? Koskinen’s 1.57 GAA and .937SV% look impressive. But he was playing for powerhouse SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL. It’s doubtful those numbers can be replicated in the NHL.

Sure, Talbot had a down year in 2017-18. But over the previous two seasons in Edmonton Talbot has averaged a 2.47 GAA and .918SV% while averaging 65 games played a season. They aren’t Vezina numbers but both are above the NHL average.

The risk in acquiring Talbot is minimal. We know he’s a starter in the NHL. His cap hit is absolutely manageable for the Islanders. And his qualities are obvious.

There’s also the added bonus that any deal has to go through Peter Chiarelli. A GM that the Islanders have bested almost every time they make a deal. Our entire second line – Mathew Barzal, Anthony Beauvillier, Jordan Eberle – are thanks to trades with the Edmonton Oilers GM. It would be fitting if we get our starting goalie the same way.

Isles Appeal Rank: 8.5/10

facebooktwitterreddit