Cam Talbot finally signs an NHL deal for the upcoming season

It's been a long, quiet summer for veteran netminder Cam Talbot. While most of the NHL's free agent frenzy played out back in July, the 39-year-old goaltender was left watching from the sidelines as teams filled their rosters without picking up the phone. For a guy who has suited up for eight different NHL organizations over a 13-year career, it had to be a frustrating wait. But as training camps loom and rosters start to take shape, Talbot finally has a new home.

TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reported on Sunday that the Columbus Blue Jackets will be signing Talbot to a one-year deal worth $950,000. It marks the tenth professional contract Talbot has signed with an NHL franchise, and it comes just two days before Columbus opens training camp on September 16th.

Why Columbus Needed a Goalie

The Blue Jackets weren't necessarily in the market for another goaltender when the offseason began. Jet Greaves had locked down the starting role last season, putting up a .908 save percentage across 55 appearances and earning himself a shiny new three-year, $15 million extension on July 23rd. Elvis Merzlikins was slated to handle backup duties behind Greaves heading into 2026-27.

That plan fell apart when Merzlikins underwent shoulder surgery after experiencing discomfort during offseason workouts. An MRI confirmed the need for the procedure, and the team has offered no timeline for his return. The late-summer surgery puts his availability for both training camp and the October 1st regular season opener against Buffalo in serious jeopardy. Some around the organization believe this signing could be a signal that Merzlikins might be out for an extended stretch, which would be tough news for a player heading into a contract year who needs a bounce-back campaign to earn his next deal.

Columbus did bring in Pheonix Copley on a one-year, $850,000 deal back on July 1st, but clearly the front office felt they needed more insurance in net. The Blue Jackets also have highly regarded prospect Sergei Ivanov in the pipeline. The 22-year-old Russian posted a .928 save percentage in 29 games with SKA St. Petersburg last season, though his lack of North American experience likely makes him a better candidate to start the year with the AHL's Cleveland Monsters.

What Talbot Brings to the Table

Talbot is coming off a rough 2025-26 season with the Detroit Red Wings, where he served as the backup to John Gibson. In 34 games with 25 starts, he went 12-9-6 with an .883 save percentage and a 3.19 goals-against average. His goals saved above expected ranked 92nd among NHL goaltenders, and it was a notable step back from his solid 2024-25 campaign in Detroit when he posted a .900 save percentage and a 2.93 GAA across 47 games as the team's primary starter.

Still, the career numbers tell a different story about Talbot's overall body of work. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Rangers back in 2010, he owns a career record of 278-204-53 with a .911 save percentage, a 2.69 GAA, and 33 shutouts across stints with the Rangers, Oilers, Flyers, Flames, Wild, Senators, Kings, and Red Wings. The man has been around the block, and he knows what it takes to be a reliable NHL goaltender.

As an over-35 player, Talbot is eligible to sign a bonus-laden contract, meaning his actual earnings could climb above that $950,000 base if he performs well. If he can hold down the fort for 25 to 30 games and give Greaves some rest along the way, there could be some nice financial incentives waiting for him. That's likely exactly the kind of opportunity he was holding out for all summer.

Columbus is looking to build on the momentum generated under head coach Rick Bowness, who sparked a significant turnaround after being hired last season. The Blue Jackets even held a playoff spot for a stretch before a late-season slide resulted in missing the postseason for the sixth straight year. Getting reliable goaltending behind Greaves will be a key piece of the puzzle if they want to take that next step in 2026-27.