Oilers Willing to Give Up 16th Pick for Talbot?

One of the more fascinating aspects of this year’s NHL draft is the goalie market. The Edmonton Oilers are one of the teams seeking a goalie, amongst others such as the Buffalo Sabres, St Louis Blues, and San Jose Sharks.

The market isn’t thin, either. The Vancouver Canucks could deal Eddie Lack or Jacob Markstrom. The Ottawa Senators have a plethora of goalies who could be on the move.

Yet, the most interesting name could be Cam Talbot of the new York Rangers. talbot was showcased often in 2014-2015 because starter Henrik Lunqvist was injured for an extended length of time. Talbot impressed, and now his market value has as well.

The Edmonton Journal ran a story this week where they cited Ottawa writer Murray Pam, who says the Oilers are prepared to give up their 16th overall selection to add Talbot to the mix.

New general manager Peter Chiarelli has many pieces to work with, and having two first round picks certainly is an advantage. Their first pick is the top selection overall, which will be Connor McDavid, but having an extra pick gives them room to deal.

The Oilers added the pick from the Pittsburgh Penguins who acquired David Perron. The Rangers are without a first round pick, thanks to a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning where they added Martin St. Louis.

Since it was reported in late May that the Canucks were willing to take on a second round pick for Lack, who has a bit more experience than Talbot, this seems like a high price for Talbot.

The other speculation is that the Oilers could give up the former first overall pick Nial Yakupov if the first round pick is too steep a price.

Another factor brought up by the Edmonton Journal is how talbot played in front of a strong Rangers defense and Oilers goalies have struggled with the young, often inept Oilers defense. Devan Dubnyk struggled like crazy before skipping to Arizona (and also struggling) and then cruising in Minnesota as one of the hottest goalies of the second half of the season.

It seems more than likely that goalies like Talbot and Lack will be moved at or around the draft, and if its first round picks being thrown around, it shouldn’t be a surprise. Whichever goalie is on the move first will set the market price, and that’s when we’ll know for sure what they are worth.