Could Cam Talbot be one-and-done in Calgary? According to some recent comments from the pending unrestricted free agent, he’s not ruling out anything when it comes to getting what he wants out of next season.
Talbot spoke with Sportsnet about his future in the NHL and whether or not that included the Flames. After joining the team last season, he notes that he only signed a one-year deal to prove he’s a No. 1 goaltender. He feels he’s done that and now, he wants to be a starter, or at the very least, get a step up from what he feels the Flames offered him last season.
He notes, “I think as long as I would get a fair chance off the bat (to be the starter); I don’t know if this year I really got that,” Talbot said.
But, is a comment like that suggestive of the fact that he’s soured on the organization or wants to see what else is out there?
What About Coming Back to Calgary?
Talbot explained, “I wouldn’t rule out coming back, but, obviously, my goal coming here was to show the rest of the League that I still have it in me to be a starting goalie and I think I accomplished that.” He added that he wants the chance to see more games and wants Calgary to offer him a step up from last season. “I’d like to play more than 50-50, but 50-50 would be, you know, another step up from what I got this year, so I’ll take it,” he explained.
Comments aside, Talbot’s options may be limited. The Flames will certainly need to sign him or another netminder and there aren’t a lot of teams with money to burn this offseason. When you consider the NHL salary cap may stay flat, Calgary is one of a select few teams with a cushion. So too, David Rittich wasn’t exactly steady all season.
Unless the Flames have their eyes on a different netminder, like a Braden Holtby, bringing Talbot back and offering him more games as part of the promise seems plausible.
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