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Hartnett: Rangers Should Get Back Quite A Haul When They Trade Talbot

By Sean Hartnett
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It has long been a foregone conclusion that the Rangers will trade backup goaltender Cam Talbot prior to or during the NHL draft. You could go as far as calling it one of the worst-kept secrets in hockey.

When Rangers training camp begins in mid-September, Talbot will be in another uniform and acclimating himself to new teammates and a new city.

The 27-year-old netminder has become a hot commodity for two reasons. First, he played exceptionally well while Henrik Lundqvist was out for 24 games, and, second, this summer's class of goaltenders in free agency is particularly weak.

The Minnesota Wild aren't going to let Vezina Trophy finalist Devan Dubnyk slip through their fingers by allowing him to hit open market. Antti Niemi is the only truly dependable No. 1 goalie likely to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 – and he's going to be an expensive signing.

Talbot stands out as that must-get goalie for a number of NHL clubs seeking a cap-friendly starter with upside. Other affordable goalies that could be acquired via trade include Robin Lehner of the Ottawa Senators and Eddie Lack of the Vancouver Canucks.

Nicknamed the "Goalbuster," Talbot is set to earn $1.45 million next season after he signed a one-year extension with the Rangers last December. While Lundqvist was out with a neck injury, Talbot proved to the entire hockey world that he's a true No. 1, playing a key role in the Rangers capturing the Presidents' Trophy.

Talbot finished the regular season 21-9-4 with a 2.21 goals-against average, a .926 save percentage, and five shutouts. His career numbers are even better, as he is 33-15-5 with a 2.00 GAA, and a .931 save percentage in 57 games split over two seasons with the Rangers.

A combination of picks and/or high-caliber prospects is what the Rangers are looking for in return. The Edmonton Oilers, Buffalo Sabres, and Dallas Stars are among teams desperately seeking an upgrade between the pipes.

Edmonton could be an ideal trade partner. According to Murray Pam of the Hockey News, the Oilers might be willing to surrender the 16th overall pick in the upcoming draft to pry Talbot from the Rangers.

However, it would be hard to imagine the Oilers trading away the pick straight up for Talbot. This year's draft features a very deep first round, so a package of Talbot and top-four quality defenseman Kevin Klein could be tempting to Edmonton, as it would fill two needs. For the Rangers, dealing away Talbot and Klein would free up $4.35 million in cap space. Klein will be paid an average annual salary of $2.9 million through the 2017-18 season.

The Rangers would be wise to cash in on Klein's breakthrough 2014-15 season, which featured nine goals, 17 assists, and a plus-24 rating. If the Rangers are to deal Klein, former first-round pick Brady Skjei would have a chance to compete for a roster spot during training camp and the preseason.

After leading the University of Minnesota to the Big Ten championship, Skjei agreed terms on an entry-level contract and was immediately able to handle big minutes at AHL Hartford. The 21-year-old left-handed defenseman appears to have what it takes to crack the Rangers' opening night roster. He is a very good skater and has shown at all levels that he's sound positionally and good with possession. Though he has plenty of offensive upside, the defensive side of his game has grown more rapidly. He would fit in nicely on a third pairing alongside veteran Dan Boyle.

As for replacing Talbot, the Rangers do not have an in-house option ready to make the jump to the NHL. While Mackenzie Skapski has shown a lot of promise, his chance of competing for the backup job in the event that Talbot is traded was slim even before he underwent offseason surgery to repair a tear in his right hip on June 2. The Rangers said his recovery period would be four to five months.

Finding an affordable backup to replace Talbot through free agency shouldn't be too difficult. By dangling Talbot and Klein at the 2015 draft, the Rangers will have a chance to free up much-needed cap space, recoup early round draft picks sent away in recent blockbusters, and perhaps land a solid prospect or two.

Follow Sean on Twitter at @HartnettHockey

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