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New York Rangers: Cam Talbot Trade Value

By Diana Driscoll

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There is much speculation that New York Rangers backup goaltender Cam Talbot will be traded this offseason. Some teams have already started showing their interest, including the San Jose Sharks and Edmonton Oilers.

But this situation has gotten a little more complicated recently as the Rangers No. 3 goaltender, Mackenzie Skapski, had arthroscopic surgery to repair a tear in his right hip. Not that Skapski was really ever thought of as a backup, but if the team moves Talbot, it will have to find another experienced goaltender this offseason.

I am all for Talbot leaving the Rangers. I think he is a great goaltender and deserves his shot to either play more or become a team’s starter. That will never happen for him in New York. Henrik Lundqvist has six more years on his contract. He has been and will continue to be the Rangers No. 1.

So, with that in mind, Talbot should go elsewhere. It is such a waste for him to be on the bench for the majority of the season and throughout the playoffs. When Lundqvist was hurt, I thought he played phenomenally well. New York ended the season where it did because of his ability to step up in the team’s time of need. I know Talbot has only played in 57 NHL and that is a small sample. But that small sample has been fantastic. He has really shown of his skill, poise and talent.

"“Obviously no one in the Ranger organization wants Talbot to go. He is under contract for one more season. But they’ve drafted a ton of goalies recently and if they truly want to win now, he’s the best trade bait they have.” — Pat Leonard, NY Daily News"

But here’s the thing about trading Talbot. What will the Rangers get in return? He is only under contract for one year, so teams will likely offer the Rangers less in return because he can become available in a short period of time. Don’t expect the Sharks to be giving up Joe Thornton or Logan Couture, or seeing the Edmonton Oilers send Taylor Hall or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to New York or give away the chance at Connor McDavid. Rangers’ fans can dream, but that just won’t happen, especially since Talbot will not be the only goaltender on the market.

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The Oilers do have the 16th overall pick that the Rangers could try and get, since the team does not have a first-round pick in their pocket until 2017 due to the Marty St. Louis and Keith Yandle trades. With this draft being one of the most talked about, it would be nice if the Rangers could get there shot at top talent. But would the Oilers really give that up? Ehhh, I’m not so sure.

Really, while Talbot’s value might not be as high as the Rangers would like, it is the team’s one shot to get the best value for him. If this summer passes and he stays a Blueshirt, New York will have a real tough time moving him at the trade deadline, and then it will have to worry about him walking away at the end of the season and the organization ends up with nothing.

Like I said, I really like Talbot and what to see him succeed. In order to do that, he has to go. It may be the best thing for both the Rangers and Talbot.

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