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Florida Panthers: Three Out-of-Place Goalies the Cats Should Pursue

By Cal Friedman

SUNRISE, FL - OCTOBER 13: Goaltender Roberto Luongo is presented with a gold and crystal stick by President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Dale Tallon during a celebration of playing in 1000th NHL game prior to the Florida Panthers hosting the Vancouver Canucks at the BB&T Center on October 13, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FL - OCTOBER 13: Goaltender Roberto Luongo is presented with a gold and crystal stick by President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Dale Tallon during a celebration of playing in 1000th NHL game prior to the Florida Panthers hosting the Vancouver Canucks at the BB&T Center on October 13, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Option #2: Cam Talbot, Edmonton Oilers

ST. LOUIS, MO – DECEMBER 05: Edmonton Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot (33) takes a drink at a stoppage in play during the third period of an NHL hockey game between the Edmonton Oilers and the St. Louis Blues on December 5, 2018, at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Tim Spyers/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO – DECEMBER 05: Edmonton Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot (33) takes a drink at a stoppage in play during the third period of an NHL hockey game between the Edmonton Oilers and the St. Louis Blues on December 5, 2018, at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Tim Spyers/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Cam Talbot’s production since the Edmonton Oilers were knocked out of a playoff spot in the conference semifinals back in 2017 has grounded to mediocre.

He’s always had his nights in an Oilers uniform, but recently, the 31-year-old has just seemed flatter than what he had been last season.

That 2016-17 season was impressive, but starting 73 out of 82 games can really drain a goalie physically.

The effects showed the next season, with his GAA going from 2.39 to 3.02, his save percentage dropping, and only recording one shutout after recording seven in the season prior.

The coaching change also hasn’t helped matters, with Ken Hitchcock favoring a new number 1 between the pipes.

The return of Mikko Koskinen, a former 2nd round draft pick, has sparked the Oilers into a playoff push.  Koskinen has been the goalie Edmonton needed, a hulking 6’7″ frame, 2.18 GAA, and 11-4-1 in his games this season.

Talbot has transformed into the odd-man out. Since Hitchcock was appointed on November 20th, Talbot has played just five games.

Finally, this is a stressful year for Talbot. This is Talbot’s contract year, and after he will turn 32 this summer, so this could very well be his last chance at earning a solid paycheck.

If Koskinen proves he isn’t fool’s gold, Edmonton could feel safer to accept an offer for Talbot’s ticket out.

If the Panthers step up their play with a goalie like Talbot in net, there could be a lot of attention coming his way to discuss a new deal. Here is what the Panthers could give up for Talbot:

This one hurts to say, but Frank Vatrano probably doesn’t fall into the Panthers’ future plans. It’s no disrespect to him, but with Henrik Borgström’s great emergence at the NHL level, and with Nick Bjugstad and Vincent Trocheck to return from injury, it’s just not really the place for him.

Edmonton could do with a winger who wants to put the puck in the net, they’ve struggled to create much from the flanks.

One of Ian McCoshen or Jacob Macdonald is also thrown into this deal, with the Panthers getting Florida native Logan Day in return. Alexander Petrovic is also thrown into the deal for cap purposes.

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