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The story of Cam Talbot and how it relates to Alexandar Georgiev

By Steve Paulus

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 28: New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (8) battles with Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Pierre Engvall (47) in front of New York Rangers goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (40) during the third period in a game between the New York Rangers and the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 28, 2019, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario Canada. (Photo by Nick Turchiaro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 28: New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (8) battles with Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Pierre Engvall (47) in front of New York Rangers goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (40) during the third period in a game between the New York Rangers and the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 28, 2019, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario Canada. (Photo by Nick Turchiaro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Alexandar Georgiev #40 of the New York Rangers
Alexandar Georgiev #40 of the New York Rangers /

With the emergence of Alexandar Georgiev as  a quality NHL goaltender for the New York Rangers, there has been much  speculation about his future.  It’s not a new story.

What is Alexandar Georgiev’s role for the New York Rangers?  Is he the heir apparent to Henrik Lundqvist?  Is he the future half of a goaltending tandem with Igor Shesterkin?  Is he valuable trade bait that will bring the Rangers a huge return at the trade deadline?  He could be any of these just like Cam Talbot was just a few years ago.

On March 30, 2010 the Rangers signed an undrafted free agent who had spent three years playing goal at that hotbed of hockey, Huntsville, Alabama.  Cam Talbot had finished three years at the University of Alabama-Huntsville when the Blueshirts signed him to an NHL minimum Entry Level Contract.  He labored for three years in Hartford playing for the Rangers AHL farm team, putting up solid numbers.

Talbot finally got his opportunity to play in the NHL in 2013-14 when Martin Biron retired after playing two games that season. There weren’t a lot of expectations, but Talbot surprised everyone with his excellent play.

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In his second year, he stepped in when Henrik Lundqvist suffered a throat injury and had a spectacular season with a 21-9-4 record, a 2.21 goals against average and a .926 save percentage.   He and Lundqvist led the team to a Presidents’ Trophy season and it was clear that he was ready to be a number one goaltender.

There were some fans who felt that he was a better option than Lundqvist.  He was cheaper and some thought he was more talented. Except for Lundqvist’s No Movement Clause and seven-year contract, there could have been a future for Talbot in New York, but the Rangers had no choice but to deal him.

The similarities to Georgiev’s story are uncanny.  The Bulgarian was undrafted and a relative unknown who signed for the minimum. He cut his teeth in the AHL, but for a much shorter period.  He got his break replacing a veteran goalie in Ondrej Pavelec who was injured. Georgiev has established himself as an equal to the King, but Lundqvist’s contract and the arrival of Igor Shesterkin has made it almost a sure thing that he will be traded.

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