One-Year Deal: Cam Talbot Signs with the Columbus Blue Jackets

Cam Talbot has signed a one-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets worth $950,000. The 39-year-old played last season for the Detroit Red Wings, where he recorded 12 wins, 9 losses and 6 overtime losses in 34 games (25 as a starter), with a 3.19 goals-against average and a .883 save percentage, with no shutouts.

According to the NHL, general manager Don Waddell described Talbot as a big, technically sound goaltender who brings experience and character to the group. His addition was needed to bolster depth in net ahead of training camp, while Elvis Merzlikins remains out indefinitely after shoulder surgery on August 17.

Talbot, undrafted, has a career record of 278 wins, 204 losses and 53 ties in 567 regular-season games (533 as a starter), with a 2.69 goals-against average, a .883 save percentage and 33 shutouts. In the playoffs he has 16 wins and 18 losses in 36 games (34 as a starter), with a 2.75 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage. According to the NHL, Columbus’s roster also includes Jet Greaves and Pheonix Copley as the other experienced goaltenders.