New York Islanders Starting Goalie Available at 2018 NHL Draft

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.
Hearing the Oilers continue to entertain trade talks involving Talbot. Things may be escalating there, as clubs like Chicago in need of goalie help may be in strong play.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 22, 2018
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