Cam Talbot wants to be No. 1 goalie, willing to leave Calgary

As reported by NHL.com, Flames goaltender Cam Talbot believes he has proven himself to be a No. 1 goaltender, and will potentially seek to do exactly that once he comes a free agent.

Prior to the NHL's suspension of the 19-20 season, Talbot signed a one-year deal with Calgary, after winning 84 games through the previous three seasons with Edmonton and Philadelphia.

Though he tied for 4th in overall wins through the last few years, Talbot managed just 11 wins through 35 starts during the 18-19 season.

Signing with Calgary to serve as backup to David Rittich, Talbot says he wanted to use the 19-20 season as a redemption year.

"That's why I wanted the one-year deal, I wanted a redemption year.

I knew that if I came to camp healthy and in the right situation, I was confident I was going to be able to get back to that form.

I think I played through some stuff that maybe I shouldn't have played through the year before, and toward the end of the year before that, so that had a lot of mitigating factors behind my declining play those years.

But I think my record shows that when I'm healthy and on top of my game I can be one of the best in the league."

Through his time with Calgary, Talbot has posted a 12-10-1 record, but saw excellent numbers from January 1st, boasting a was 9-3-1 record with a 2.55 GAA (goals against average) and .923 save percentage.

With the end of the 19-20 season, Talbot will enter free agency, where he may have the option to return to Calgary, or seek a No. 1 spot with another team.

Talbot spoke to Sportsnet regarding his future;

"I wouldn't rule out coming back, but, obviously, my goal coming here was to show the rest of the League that I still have it in me to be a starting goalie and I think I accomplished that.”

He added;

"I think as long as I would get a fair chance off the bat (to be the starter); I don't know if this year I really got that.

I know that they kind of wanted to see what was going on with [Rittich], but I kind of knew that coming in. I think that once I got my opportunity to come in and show what I can do that I still would be able to carry the mail.

Obviously, I'd like to play more than 50-50, but 50-50 would be, you know, another step up from what I got this year, so I'll take it."

Assuming the 19-20 NHL season returns, as it currently sits in suspension amidst the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, it'll be interesting to see how Talbot performances through the end of the season, and where he lands for the 20-21 campaign.

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