New York Rangers Rumors: Will Cam Talbot be traded?

After the loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference Finals, there is going to be a lot of New York Rangers rumors this offseason.

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One of the biggest potential trade pieces the Rangers have is backup goalie Cam Talbot. According to Andrew Gross of NorthJersey.com, Talbot may be available if the price is right. With two big trades at the NHL trade deadline in the last two seasons, the Rangers are without a first-round pick until 2017. If a team is to try and grab the 28-year-old goalie from the Rangers, a first-rounder will likely be the asking price.

The Rangers do have Talbot under contract for next season, as he signed a one-year, $1.45 million extension.

Talbot began his career with the Rangers in the 2013-14 season as the backup to star goalie Henrik Lundqvist. In his first season with the Rangers, Talbot was very good with a 12-6-1 record, 1.64 goals against average, and a .941 save percentage. With Lundqvist healthy in 2013-14 season, Talbot wasn’t asked to do much, but this season he really stepped up for the Rangers.

After taking a puck to the neck, Lundqvist missed a good chunk of the regular season for the Rangers. If people were asked how the Rangers would fare without Lundqvist, most of those answers wouldn’t give the Rangers much of a chance. However, with Talbot in the net, the Rangers were able to climb in the Eastern Conference standings, and he was a huge part in helping them win the President’s trophy.

This season, Talbot had a 21-9-4 record, 2.21 GAA, and a .926 save percentage. Talbot went back in to his normal role when Lundqvist returned, but his 2014-15 season will not be forgotten by Rangers fans.

If the Rangers are going to part ways with Talbot, the offer is going to have to be a very good one. Teams can be desperate in the NHL trying to find a franchise goalie, and that may play into the Rangers’ advantage.

If Talbot is moved, the Rangers would likely use Mackenzie Skapski as the backup for Lundqvist. Skapski was Talbot’s backup with Lundqvist out, and in two NHL starts against the Buffalo Sabres he is undefeated.

Besides Skapski’s inexperience at the NHL level, he has also just underwent hip surgery, which will keep him out 4-5 months.

With the uncertainty of a replacement for Talbot, the Rangers’ best plan would be to hold on to him unless a truly great offer comes across Glen Sather’s phone.

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