Oilers' Talbot sees bright future: 'We're on the cusp of something'

Cam Talbot is optimistic about the trajectory of his new team.

The 28-year-old netminder earned a shot at a starting job following two impressive seasons backing up Henrik Lundqvist with the New York Rangers, who traded him to the Edmonton Oilers in June. The Oilers are in need of stability in net as they try to move beyond their perpetual rebuilding phase, and Talbot hopes he is the answer to their crease issues.

"I was extremely excited to come to a team that's going to have a lot of upside coming in next season, a lot of excitement around the team, with a great core group of guys," Talbot told Matt Larkin of The Hockey News. "We're definitely heading in the right direction, and hopefully I can fit into their plans and grow with that team."

Talbot posted an impressive 2.00 goals-against average and .931 save percentage in 57 appearances for New York, but the Rangers were arguably the best team in the Eastern Conference over the last two seasons, while Edmonton allowed more goals than any other team in 2014-15.

"It's going to be a bit of an adjustment, obviously, but I played at Alabama-Huntsville where I was used to getting a few shots a game, you could say," Talbot said. "So hopefully I can bring that mentality to Edmonton and stop as many shots as I did there."

Talbot should be aided by the addition of Todd McLellan, who developed a reputation as a defensively responsible coach with the San Jose Sharks. Edmonton also bolstered its blue line by signing Andrej Sekera and trading for prospect Griffin Reinhart - all of which has turned Talbot into a believer.

"It's a very up-and-coming team. We're on the cusp of something," he said. "With a new system and new management in place, I think our team is maybe a year or two away from doing something special."