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Carolina Hurricanes: Top 3 UFA Goalies the Hurricanes Should Sign

By Matthew Nidiffer

BOSTON, MA - MAY 12: Carolina Hurricanes goalie Petr Mrazek (34) makes a save before Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Bruins and the Carolina Hurricanes on May 12, 2019, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 12: Carolina Hurricanes goalie Petr Mrazek (34) makes a save before Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Bruins and the Carolina Hurricanes on May 12, 2019, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – MARCH 30: Cam Talbot #33 of the Philadelphia Flyers comes out of the crease to leave an empty net during an NHL game against the Carolina Hurricanes on March 30, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – MARCH 30: Cam Talbot #33 of the Philadelphia Flyers comes out of the crease to leave an empty net during an NHL game against the Carolina Hurricanes on March 30, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Cam Talbot

Man, I bet you guys are glad I didn’t say the other Cam, aren’t you? In all seriousness, Cam Ward was a phenomenal story for the Hurricanes, and I appreciate everything he did during his tenure here.

That being said, Cam Talbot would not be a bad short-term option in net for many reasons. Once upon a time, Cam Talbot led the New York Rangers to the playoffs in breakout fashion. Not many backup-caliber goalies could outshine The King himself, Henrik Lundqvist, but Talbot did.

His reward? Getting traded to Edmonton, where his numbers inevitably fell. Various factors went into his slipping performance, not all of which were his fault. Talbot was then moved to the Philadelphia Flyers last season to mentor up-and-coming goaltending superstar Carter Hart.

I had the privilege of seeing Cam Talbot play a few games with the Greenville Road Warriors (now the Swamp Rabbits) while they were still affiliated with the New York Rangers. Talbot was phenomenal at the ECHL level, and even better at the NHL level with the New York Rangers.

Talbot, despite being 31 years-old, still has potential, and still has a few good years left in him in the right surroundings. The Canadian goaltender turned in less-than-stellar numbers last season; 11-17-3 record in 35 games played with a .892 SV% and 3.40 goals-against average.

Not good numbers, but not terrible considering his role with Philadelphia last year, as well as Philadelphia’s lackluster defense. All in all, Talbot would be a good option for a year or two until Nedeljkovic is ready to take the mantle of NHL starter.

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