NHL Trade Analysis: Philadelphia and Edmonton Swap Goalies
Cam Talbot indeed does get trade from Edmonton to Philadelphia.
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Philadelphia and Edmonton Swap Goalies

That is correct. At the stroke of midnight, the Philadelphia Flyers announced a trade. This is the parameters of the deal.


Again, these late night deals test the mettle of many. What is the thought process? Let’s take a look at some numbers and much more.

Stolarz and Talbot side by side

Edmonton needed cap space and accomplished their goal but here are some numbers thanks to “The Point”.


How much of Talbot’s decline in numbers is because of Edmonton and how much of it is because of Talbot himself? That will be the question. Stolarz is just 25 while Talbot is 31 (almost 32). We introduce one number into the equation — penalty kill save percentage.  Talbot’s is just .798 while Stolarz sported a .902 save percentage in just 12 appearances.

Now, what are the impacts of the deal?

Cam Talbot as a Philadelphia Flyer

Talbot and his $4.17 million expiring contract is now in Philadelphia to backup and mentor Carter Hart. The new Flyers goalie has a long-standing connection with Hart and this should be beneficial. Some have argued that the goalie’s problems stem from counterrotation issues and puck tracking. A good deal of that is true.

The penalty kill debate is interesting. Philadelphia’s is currently 76.6% while Edmonton’s was 75.4%. Those are some woeful numbers. Can Talbot correct some of his problems in net? That answer is yes. Does it happen quickly? That becomes unknown. Talbot at one point was hardly playing and then played four out of five games at one juncture. The life of a “1B” goalie is what Talbot will have in Philadelphia as well.

While the Flyers are charging towards getting back into the playoffs, Edmonton was scuttling around in neutral. It was clear Edmonton had to make a move. Maybe this was one, few were expecting. This gets the Oilers under the cap to bring up Andrej Sekera from his conditioning stint.

As for Cam Talbot, he gains a chance to show teams and Philadelphia what he can do next season and beyond. How much of Talbot’s woes were Edmonton and how much were Talbot? Again, this is the key. Goalies have experienced the post-Edmonton bump as well. It becomes intriguing to see what happens. Talbot has a chance to fix flaws in his game at least.

Anthony Stolarz as an Edmonton Oiler

Stolarz battled back from injuries and has looked serviceable in net. In 12 appearances this year, the goalie has a 4-3-3-1 record. This includes a 3.33 goals-against average and .902 save percentage. He will be backing up Mikko Koskinen, who has had his own issues since a hot start. Stolarz goes from a team with a bad penalty kill to a worse penalty kill. Numbers like penalty kill save percentage are fickle so it will be hard to tell how Stolarz might perform.

The uncertainty is valid. Edmonton now has two goaltenders with a combined save percentage of .899 and precious little experience. It proves to be temporary more than likely but Edmonton thinks adding Sekera will help defensively. That is another question. Sekera has not looked right in over a year. How this helps Edmonton and Stolarz for that matter is anyone’s guess.

How often does Stolarz even play? That is up to Ken Hitchcock and company. The one thing Stolarz will do is fight. He fought to get back from injuries with a zeal few people can. His play at even-strength has been dubious at times (.905 save percentage) but his numbers mostly are a slight upgrade from Talbot’s.

What this means overall

Simply, Edmonton gains some cap space while Philadelphia now has a logjam of goalies which needs rectifying. Will Brian Elliott be moved and will Michal Neuvirth for that matter? That’s $5.25 million right there. Burial is a possibility but it just seems not as likely.

Philadelphia is hoping Talbot finds his game while mentoring Carter Hart. For both teams, the real fun begins.