May 16, 2024 | 7:26am ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

KINGS MOVING ON FROM TALBOT?

Cam Talbot, goaltender

With goaltender David Rittich locked up to a new one-year, $1 million contract in Los Angeles, and the Kings poised to acquire a new No.1 goalie this summer, Cam Talbot’s tenure is Southern California may have been short-lived.

Talbot, who turns 37 on July 5, signed a one-year deal with the Kings last summer and has expressed interest in sticking with the club for at least one more season. However, as the Kings explore their netminder options this off-season, there seems to be a chance they will be moving in a different direction.

Speculation prior to the trade deadline suggested the Kings were trying to acquire a new goalie, with the club linked to Boston Bruins star Linus Ullmark. It is possible Kings GM Rob Blake reinvestigates that possibility this summer as he evaluates his options.

The Kings have also reportedly shown interest in Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros in the past, and could also pursue other goaltenders, such as Minnesota Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson, who is on the trade block.

Talbot posted a 27-20-6 record with the Kings this season, along with a 2.48 goals-against-average, a .913 save percentage and three shutouts.

The Kings have around $19.9 million in salary cap space this off-season, according to CapFriendly, and could use a chunk of that space for a No.1 goaltender.

Several teams will be looking to add a reliable backup goaltender this summer and could target Talbot on an affordable contract. The

Meanwhile, as TFP’s Dennis Bernstein reported earlier this week, contract talks with pending unrestricted free agent defenceman Matt Roy are not expected to pick up until June.