[Rumour] UPD: Flames sign Cam Talbot (1yr, $2.75mil)

[btimbit]

I'm happy with that tandem

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

So they hold off with some hope of landing Lehner
Don't get him
Miss out on Talbot
And then end up where?

Yeah, they've already had a chance of talking to Lehner. So if they do in fact sign Talbot sign for a year its with full knowledge of Lehner's asking price/term and his interest in the Flames.

If they just zeroed in on Talbot without exploring other options that would certainly be a mistake, but really no reason to think that's the case.

So curious to know what people think Talbot will cost? I don't think one bad year has totally eroded his contract value. They guy had a Vezina quality season not long ago and most everyone seems ready to believe last year was an anomaly due to overwork and playing for Oilers. Flames can't possibly be only team that thinks that.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

I still think if you can convince Lehner to sign, you do it and find a new home for Rittich.

Of course he’ll be more expensive, because he’s good and he’s still young. You don’t get something for nothing. We’ve been scraping the bargain bin ever since Kipper left and look where it’s led.

It has led to the Flames actually developing a goalie who looks like he could be a bonafide NHL starter, is only 26-years-old, has improved every year since he arrived in North America, and you want to dump him?

I'm confident the Flames won't sign Lehner because he will be well out of their price range, but moreover I think it is a mistake because Rittich is providing EXACTLY what this franchise needs—a home grown potential starting goalie who can very possibly provide tremendous value on an inexpensive contract over the next couple seasons. Starting goalies take time to develop, and it would be foolish to abandon the one who has shown the greatest promise since Kiprusoff arrived in Calgary 15 years ago.

[vilzeh]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

Well that'd just be dumb, wouldn't it... so likely not what I meant

This thread reads as though the deal is already 'done'... I'm suggesting that's a mistake if Lehner becomes available, as I'd as least want to check in on that possibility before committing to Talbot. I have no idea of Lehner's interest nor demands, so the actual signing of Talbot may still be best, in that scenario.

My understanding of the Lehner situation is that he hasn't talked to any other teams, other than NYI, but only yesterday announced that it might not work out. Therefore, I'm assuming Teliving has come to an agreement with Talbot without the knowledge of Lehner being available.

Lmao, are you serious?

[transplant99]

Talbot wouldn't be my first choice, but there is a lot of logic behind it and it will be very affordable for sure.

Hopefully he lights it up.

[MrMike]

A few months ago if I heard Lehner was going to the market I would have said the Flames should do whatever it takes to sign him. But not that Talbot is most likely coming here, I believe he can be just as good as Lehner getting a fresh start away from Edmonton. I'd rather run Rittich/Talbot Rather than Lehner/Gillies for the same price.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

Well that'd just be dumb, wouldn't it... so likely not what I meant

This thread reads as though the deal is already 'done'... I'm suggesting that's a mistake if Lehner becomes available, as I'd as least want to check in on that possibility before committing to Talbot. I have no idea of Lehner's interest nor demands, so the actual signing of Talbot may still be best, in that scenario.

My understanding of the Lehner situation is that he hasn't talked to any other teams, other than NYI, but only yesterday announced that it might not work out. Therefore, I'm assuming Teliving has come to an agreement with Talbot without the knowledge of Lehner being available.

I disagree. Everything we know about GMBT tells us he is very thorough.
So I'm sure they have assessed and ruled out Lehner on the basis of
- They don't want him
- He has no interest in coming here
- They don't think they can afford him

[jmac98]

I’m good with this. Rittich is obviously their guy so securing a formidable backup only makes sense. I’m happier with Talbot than another year with Smith in a “who wants the starter role” scenario. And while some may not like Talbot and would prefer _____ instead (Mrazek, Reimer, etc), that more falls on the personal opinion but in any regard shows they acknowledge Rittich as their guy yet have found someone who is adept at the backup role and capable of carrying the load for periods of time if required. There’s no controversy in the position, instead confidence.

[Rando]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

So curious to know what people think Talbot will cost? I don't think one bad year has totally eroded his contract value.

2-2.5? He won't make league minimum but won't earn the 4.1 he had the last three seasons.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Rando

2-2.5? He won't make league minimum but won't earn the 4.1 he had the last three seasons.

My guess is under 2

[TheIronMaiden]

Just sifting through cap friendly it seems like 2M - 3.5M is the going rate for goalies in Talbots context. I am comfortable with anything under 3.5M.

[Brick]

I wouldn't be signing on the dotted line just yet now that Lehner might be available.

If the Flames want him bad enough they will figure out a way to do it.

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

It has led to the Flames actually developing a goalie who looks like he could be a bonafide NHL starter, is only 26-years-old, has improved every year since he arrived in North America, and you want to dump him?

It would be pretty silly to want to dump him if that’s what I thought, wouldn’t it?

The fact remains that Rittich’s career high Sv% is 0.911, which is completely average among NHL goalies. And he’s a complete wild card with only two years of NHL experience behind him, so to say he could be a bonafide NHL starter is complete guesswork on your part.

Lehner is only 13 months older and has played 9 seasons in the NHL already (albeit the first two or three were very small sample sizes). And has several seasons where he was far above average, including a few extended seasons with a 0.920+ Sv% - something this team has not been able to enjoy since Kipper.

People were brushing off Bishop as well, saying he’d be too expensive, and what that got us is more bargain bin goalies who couldn’t get it done. Sometimes you have to pony up and take some risks to solve a weakness for your team, because relying solely on hope and reclamation projects doesn’t generally get you very far when you’re in your window to contend. The same thing was happening during the Iggy/Kipper years with the rotating carousel of bargain bin “1st line” centres.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Brick

I wouldn't be signing on the dotted line just yet now that Lehner might be available.

If the Flames want him bad enough they will figure out a way to do it.

Its entirely possible that Lehner simply doesnt want to play here either, and his agent conveyed that to BT in the last few days.

[FlamesAddiction]

Not a fan. I know people rest their hope on Talbot being overplayed in Edmonton and losing his game, but I don't buy that as an excuse. I just don't think he was ever that good to begin with. He had good numbers as a back-up with no pressure in NY, but he wouldn't be the first back-up goalie to have decent numbers only to crash and burn later (Toskala, Scrivens, Reimer all come to mind instantly).

But if he is signing a one-year deal, he must be confident that he will have a lot of more negotiating power next year, so he definitely believes in himself.

I won't rag on him any more until I see results.

[TheIronMaiden]

I am convinced that Lehner rumours are just a negotiating tactic. He has no reason to leave the Islanders, they are a good young team with bucks of cap space.

[FlamesAreOne]

Upgrade over Smith. I like it a lot. Rittich and Talbot is a solid tandem.

Smith and Koskinen in EDM is going to be a tire fire.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

I am convinced that Lehner rumours are just a negotiating tactic. He has no reason to leave the Islanders, they are a good young team with bucks of cap space.

Well they need to want him back as well.

There's been a pretty loud clamoring that Lou wants Bobrovsky though, which would actually follow right in line with his team building philosophy if he doesnt believe that Lehner is an elite G long term.

I dont think its out of the question to see both Panarin and Bobrovsky in Islander jerseys next year.

[tvp2003]

Dubnyk's last year in Edmonton...11-17-2, 3.36, 0.894
Talbot's last year in Edmonton.....10-15-3, 3.36, 0.893

Just saying...

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Well they need to want him back as well.

There's been a pretty loud clamoring that Lou wants Bobrovsky though, which would actually follow right in line with his team building philosophy if he doesnt believe that Lehner is an elite G long term.

I dont think its out of the question to see both Panarin and Bobrovsky in Islander jerseys next year.

You're onto something here. Bobrovsky is definitely going to get paid, he is probably asking 8M + plus for 7 years.

Lehner is probably asking for 7 M + with max term as well.

For one year less term, and only a million and a bit more Bobrovsky is easily the better choice.