Ottawa Senators Rumors: Talbot Heading To Free Agency Without Contract Discussion

The Ottawa Senators have made strides towards making the playoffs, but it won't happen this season. They will be able to keep most of their team intact, but one area they are going to be making some changes to is in goal. According to Bruce Garrioch who covers the team, the Senators have not talked with Cam Talbot about an extension since December and he will likely leave in free agency.

The Senators traded for Talbot last offseason from the Minnesota Wild and sent young phenom Filip Gustavsson the other way. Though that trade is not working out for them in the slightest as Talbot was injured on and off and didn't have a great year, Ottawa has options in net.

The best bet is that the Senators have Anton Forsberg serve as a 1b goalie and they find a way to acquire someone who can split time and won't cost a ton to acquire, whether that be through a trade or free agency. With the team looking to keep Alex DeBrincat around, the cap space is very tight. Talbot's $3.667 million off the books will help.

The Senators have Mads Soogard who may need just a bit more time in the AHL before he can confidently come into a backup role in Ottawa. As for other options, Kevin Mandolese, Dylan Ferguson, and Leevi Merilainen have all played in a couple of NHL games this season. None of them look ready to take any sort of role in the NHL next season. The Senators will do what they can to add a capable goaltender in the offseason as Talbot moves on. That is definitely an area that needs to be addressed if the team wants to appear in the postseason in 2023-24.