The long-rumored trade of backup netminder Cam Talbot by the New York Rangers finally came to fruition on Saturday during Day Two of the 2015 NHL Draft.
The Rangers and GM Glen Sather dealt the up-and-coming Talbot to the Edmonton Oilers and GM Peter Chiarelli, who were said to have Talbot in their "crosshairs" earlier this offseason, for picks No. 57, 79 and 184. The Oilers also received pick No. 209. TSN's Bob McKenzie was the first with the news.
Chiarelli very much used the draft to his advantage, snagging young defender Griffin Reinhart from the Islanders, selecting Connor McDavid first-overall and trading for Talbot, who presumably will take over the top spot on the Oilers depth chart.
Sather was said to be pushing for a first-round pick in exchange for Talbot, so Chiarelli did well to be patient with the deal and was eventually able to get his guy for much less than what Sather was reportedly asking.
Sather, shortly before dealing Talbot, also moved speedy forward Carl Hagelin to the Anaheim Ducks and GM Bob Murray, who, like Chiarelli, seemed to be looking at the draft as an opportunity to shake up his roster.
After shipping out James Wisniewski to the Hurricanes and Kyle Palmieri to the Devils, Murray acquired Hagelin, picks No. 59 and 179 from the Rangers in exchange for prospect Emerson Etem and the 41st selection. TSN's Frank Seravalli was the first to report the move.
For the Rangers, dealing Hagelin likely was financially motivated. He's a restricted free agent looking to cash in, and Sather still has to lock up Derek Stepan.
