Could The Flyers Realistically Bring Cam Talbot Back (Camback)?

As stated in an previous article Brian Elliott and Carter Hart have banded together to form a very good duo in net. Elliott managed to get key wins for the Flyers on the road while putting up adequate stats, but really made big time saves when needed time and time again. Moreover, Hart having one of the best home seasons of all time by a Flyers goalie let alone, overall goalie. Hart formed a very good off the ice relationship with Elliott, where Elliott became a mentor to Hart. However, hockey is a business and Elliott has an expiring contract, so it remains to be seen if he will return next season. If he doesn’t return there are many options the Flyers could look to in order to replace Elliott, although one clearly makes the most sense. That one is reuniting with goalie Cam Talbot, who as reported by many at the time of the trade in February 2019 was that the Flyers acquired him to mentor Hart, as well as, to fill in while Elliott was dealing with injuries. Talbot and Hart worked out together the previous Summer, and got along swimmingly making the move have perfect sense. Some of the kind words Talbot had to say about Hart can be seen in an 2019 tweet from the Flyers below: 

Furthermore, at the time of the trade Hart stated to then, the Courier-Post’s Dave Isaac as reported by Philly Voice, “We really got along and last summer we partnered up and took the ice for goalie sessions throughout the summer. He’s a great mentor. He’s a great goalie. He’s a great guy. He’s the guy I called before my first start just to ask him about pregame jitters and what to expect and everything. He actually told me a story, his first NHL game was in Philly and his first NHL win was two days later against Detroit 3-2 (the same score in which the Flyers best the Red Wings in Hart’s debut). Pretty crazy.” Obviously, acquiring Talbot which to some was looked at as a waste of a trade last year made perfect sense, but it just didn’t work at as well as it has for the Calgary Flames. Although still, now reacquiring him via free agency makes all the sense in the World. Talbot is coming off a very good season helping lead the Flames to the playoffs while stepping up for David Rittich, while he was out and/or struggling at times. They too went on to form a rather solid tandem, with Rittich reestablishing himself and playing the bulk of the games (48 total), but Talbot stepped up time and time again in the 26 games he did play in. In those 26 games, he had a 2.63 GAA, and a .919 SV% all around his career averages with the SV% above his career line. Talbot, if Elliott is not re-signed by the Flyers, would be a perfect fit sliding in as another leader and role model in the goalie room for Carter Hart. He also, when traded here expressed interest in an extension, hence waving his no trade clause at the time of the trade. This also leads to the possibility that he might be open to a return to Philly. That tweet can be seen below. 

All in all, Talbot, if Elliott is not re-signed, would be a perfect guy to reunite with for the Flyers (or make a Camback) if you will. He knows the city and certain players on the team already from being here for a few months last season. Plus, he is a perfect fit as highlighted above for our young stud in Carter Hart to continue to progress as he grows and enters his prime years. Talbot also highlighted when acquired last year how excited he was to be playing on a team making a push for the playoffs at that time; that tweet can be seen at the end of the article. The Flyers of course, fell off last year but were looking good with interim Head Coach Scott Gordon at the time of the move. Of course, Talbot got his wish this year helping the Flames claim a playoff spot, and could potentially continue to get that wish there if the Flames choose to re-sign him. However, if the Flames do not choose to give Talbot an extension, the Flyers could pounce on him because on top of the factors highlighted above. The Flyers sure as heck have built a playoff contending team for years to come. Talbot likely coming off a good year might ask for two rather than one year, but if I were the Flyers I would be more than happy to oblige. It is not like he is going to be getting a hefty salary at this point of his career. Lastly, Talbot is the perfect backup to play 25-35 games in a single year for the Flyers, while Hart takes on more and more games as he progresses each season. So will there be a Camback? Only time will tell.