Senators make a deal once again, acquiring 35-year-old netminder Cam Talbot
With the recent departure of Matt Murray, Pierre Dorion and the Ottawa Senators have now found their replacement in the plenty capable Cam Talbot. Despite having Filip Gustavsson on a one-way deal for next season, it’s clear management didn’t want to enter next season with any question marks in net.
The well-travelled 35-year-old Talbot posted great numbers last season in Minnesota, suiting up in 49 games, carrying an impressive record of 32-12-4 with a 0.911 SV% and a 2.76 GAA, and making his first NHL All-Star Game appearance. Talbot would eventually be pushed out of his job due to the acquisition of Marc-Andre Fleury. With Anton Forsberg and Talbot manning the crease for the Senators, the team boasts stellar depth at the position, and is set up to make a real run at the playoffs for the first time since 2016-17.
Cam Talbot, traded to OTT, is an okay tandem goalie who's had his ups and downs recently. One year remaining on his current deal. #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/v6PYHyVypU
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 12, 2022
Giroux Coming Home?
As we creep toward the start of NHL Free Agency, starting at 12:00 PM ET, the rumours surrounding Claude Giroux continue to gain traction, with plenty of smoke… there’s usually fire.
Numerous insiders have been speculating about the connection between Giroux and the Senators, it was never out of the realm of possibility for the 34-year-old veteran to want to return to his hometown, add the aggressive moves the franchise has made over the last week, and whatever offer the Senators table should be attractive.
TSN Insiders: The Senators are poised to make a splash in UFA.
— Graeme Nichols (@GraemeNichols) July 12, 2022
"Claude Giroux appears to be in their crosshairs. They are definitely in a position to make an aggressive offer... They're still talking other trades too. Look for them to make a move for a d-man. " ~ @reporterchris
Giroux has aged like fine wine up until the age of 34, recording 21 goals and 65 points across 75 games between the Philadelphia Flyers and Florida Panthers. With Giroux’s age there are definitely some concerns about regression, however he still projects as a fixture in the top-six, and could help out in the face-off circle (3rd in NHL with a 60.3 FOW%), especially if he lines up with Tim Stützle.
Top-4 Defensive Options
Senators GM Pierre Dorion hasn’t minced words when describing the team’s need for a stable top-4 defenceman to complement either Thomas Chabot or Jake Sanderson in the Senators top-4. Several defenceman have been linked to the Senators, names include Jake Chychrun, Mackenzie Weegar, and John Marino. Furthermore, it appears that the Ottawa native, Weegar has emerged as the favourite among the group.
Garrioch on the #Sens pursuit of Panthers RHD, MacKenzie Weegar. Says that he's friends with Claude Giroux 👀
— The Senstennial Podcast (@senstennial) July 12, 2022
Also notes that Marino might not be a good fit for Ottawa as his 5 yr term would block Lassi Thomson or JBD from a future roster spot. pic.twitter.com/XzSKkmV947
The package to acquire a quality top-4 defenceman will likely have to contain some significant assets, and it appears that Connor Brown could be on the move in the trade. Brown has expressed interest in testing the free agent market at the end of next season, and if the team in fact acquires Giroux, he becomes that much more expendable.
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The next 24+ hours will be filled with anticipation and it’s looking more and more likely that it will end in pandemonium.