Quoting: Wildwinswhen
I agree on goalie being a likely need. But if we had average goaltending last year we'd have been a top 5 team in GAA. The problem was too many soft goals. If Talbot can lock that down, we're good for now.
We don't have anyone in the system who can step in. I'm not a believer in Kaponen any more. So, we'd have to look at UFA. There's Tukka Rask, Raanti, and Grubauer available, but I wouldn't want to buyout Talbot for them.
I don't know. The most likely addition would be a trade for a C1, but I just don't see it happening.
Yeah, that's the thing. I wouldn't want an 'if'. I would've done absolutely everything I could to get a legit starter. Talbot may regain that form, and hopefully he does, I just would've preferred more of a sure thing (wouldn't be surprised if Kuemper could be had, and with Minny's draft capital and Arizona's lack thereof, there may be a deal there), because I really think Minnesota has an opportunity here.
When you look at the last 3 years, Minnesota finishes #1 in the league in 5v5 xGA over that span and in each of those seasons individually; at all strengths, they finish 2nd in each individual season and 1st over that span. They're edging out some
elite company. Multiple Cup winners or finalists or perennial contenders are surrounding them, yet Minnesota sits at the top. Where the wheels come off the tracks is at actual goals against. Those teams beat out Minnesota in that area, because they're getting the necessary stops. If Talbot can give them those stops, then that's fantastic, I just would've prioritized it more than they seemed to.