Signing Cam Talbot was a risk for the Los Angeles Kings – but it’s paying off huge

One of the under-the-radar acquisitions out west is paying off dividends.

The Los Angeles Kings made a bold move by signing veteran goaltender Cam Talbot to a one-year, $2 million contract. The 36-year-old goaltender moved to Hollywood after a rough 2022-23 campaign with the Ottawa Senators. Talbot went 17-14-2 with a 2.93 goals-against average and a .898 save percentage.

However, the former Vezina Trophy winner has found new life with his third team in as many years. Through 16 appearances in Los Angeles, Talbot is 11-4-1 with a 1.96 GAA and a .930 SV%, with a shutout on Nov. 4 against the Philadelphia Flyers. He has also won three of his last four starts, and has been forced to make 30 or more saves eight times thus far.

There is no question Talbot’s play is one of the reasons the Kings are third in the Pacific Division.

On Tuesday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton discussed the return to form for the former Edmonton Oiler netminder, and his play under former boss, Todd McLellan.

Carter Hutton: I think for him its confidence. When you have that familiarity, you have those things, [McLellan] trusted you. Sometimes that’s hard when a new coach comes in and you don’t have that connection. For Cam, he’s 36-years-old, he’s played a lot minutes and played a lot of big games. It’s just about finding the right system. You talk about how good L.A. defends, but Cam has played above and beyond, especially when is partner’s [Pheonix Copley] numbers aren’t very good.

It’s going to be interesting to see how this goes with Cam, is he going to be your guy? Do you think he can run with it for a whole playoff?…”Is it sustainable for Cam” is going to be the interesting part.

You can watch the full segment, and the entire episode here…