This morning, the Free Press’s Helene St. James discusses Cam Talbot reaching his 500th career game this past Friday vs. New Jersey, as well as Talbot’s value to the Wings’ team and locker room:
He wasn’t drafted (neither was Lyon) but instead signed as a free agent with the New York Rangers in 2010. From there began an NHL career that also had stopovers with the Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild, Ottawa Senators and Los Angeles Kings. His inauspicious beginnings and well-traveled journey play into why it was so special to reach the milestone. (He’s the 82nd goaltender in NHL history to get there.)
“It’s remarkable, especially since his career started a little bit later in the NHL,” coach Derek Lalonde said. “He wasn’t playing in the league at 18, 19. It’s just impressive. I think it speaks volumes of him, his approach. He’s a true professional. He was not the most highly touted goalie coming out of college. The way he kind of built his career — the character along with the competitor and the talent, you can see why he got to this point, to this milestone in his career.”
Talbot’s .916 save percentage and 2.67 goals-against average this season rank in the top four among Canadian goaltenders with at least 10 games played, which should put Talbot on the radar for Team Canada in the 4 Nations Faceoff tournament in February (replacing the NHL All-Star Game), with the roster to be announced Wednesday. It would be another nod of recognition for a goaltender who has forged an impressive career.
“I just always try to come to the rink with a good attitude, good work ethic, and try to do whatever I can every day to try get better, and that’s what I’ve been doing my whole career,’ Talbot said. “Never let anything deter me from going out there and doing everything I possibly can. Being undrafted and taking the route I took makes it that much more special. I just humbly appreciate every day.”
Continued; St. James posted a video of Talbot and captain Dylan Larkin discussing Talbot’s tenure with the Wings thus far:
