Talbot named one of the NHL’s best goaltenders
By Zach Laing
6 years agoOn Sunday night, Cam Talbot got named one of the NHL’s best goaltenders on the NHL Network’s countdown series Top 10 Goalies Right now.
Making his debut on the second annual countdown, Talbot ranked seventh overall – one spot higher than the goalie he used to back up in Henrik Lundqvist.
The list was counted down by the NHL Network’s Jamison Coyle, E.J. Hradek and Kevin Weekes who based the list on the past several seasons, but held an emphasis on the 2016-2017 season.
“He’s one of those guys that has shown that even with a heavy workload, he still comes to the rink night after night and helps you win,” said Hradek.
The list also weighed players’ projected performance in the 2017-18 season, took into account those returning from injury and expectant breakout seasons from young players.
“I’m gonna make this point: Connor McDavid we know, but without Cam Talbot last year as well, last season doesn’t happen,” said Weekes.
The Oilers acquired Talbot and a seventh-round pick at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for second-round, third-round and seventh-round picks.
“[Talbot] was ready to be a number one goaltender, he was 28 or 29 years old at that stage and it was important to do something to try and get him in the right position so somebody could benefit from his abilities,” said New York Rangers President Glen Sather to me last week.
Since his trade to Edmonton, Talbot has been a rock for the Edmonton Oilers going 63-49-13 with a .918 save per cent and 2.46 goals against average.
In the 2017 playoffs he helped lead the Oilers to game seven in the second round where he posted a 7-6 record. Talbot recorded a .924 save per cent and a 2.48 goals against average.
Full List:
- Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
- Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals
- Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus Blue Jackets
- Matt Murray, Pittsburgh Penguins
- Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota Wild
- Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings
- Cam Talbot, Edmonton Oilers
- Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
- Martin Jones, San Jose Sharks
- Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators
These goaltender rankings are a part of the NHL Network’s offseason coverage with five countdown series starting with it’s list of the best postion players: Top 10 Goalies Right Now, Top 20 Wings Right Now, Top 20 Centers Right Now, and Top 20 Defensemen Right Now.
Player rankings will culminate with the NHL Network’s five-part series Top 50 Players Right Now beginning Sunday, September 3.
What say you, Nation? Do you think Talbot’s number seven ranking was fair?
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