Talbot Could Miss First Month Of Season
Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins
Jul 6, 10:52 AM | Hype this story!
Kudos to PensBurgh for finding news that Max Talbot could be unavailable for the first month of the 2009-10 season.
Per a June 14 entry on Talbot’s RDS blog (translated by the good guys at PensBurgh: “First, I’m going to have my shoulder operated on in two weeks. I have a golf tournament on July 3 and I will also have a day with the cup.”
Then, per French Canadian radio (again, translated by PensBurgh): “Talbot will undergo a shoulder operation in the coming days and is expected to miss the first month of the season.”
Nothing has been confirmed by the team, so take this for what it is: a vaguely-reported story translated from French.
This scenario could mean two things…
One, it would appear Talbot played in the Stanley Cup Finals and managed to score two goals in Game Seven with an injured shoulder. We all know hockey players are tough, but this is impressive.
Two, it could mean the second line right wing position is available — at least for the first few weeks of the season. Maybe this will be an opportunity for the Penguins to get a planned temporary look at a guy like Luca Caputi in a scoring role in Pittsburgh. If he works out, keep him in the NHL. If he doesn’t return him to the AHL when Talbot is healthy.
Comments
Dabich
Jul 6, 11:30 AM
If Caputi doesn’t work out, try Pesonen. I’d still like to see what he can do.
But darn, this sucks!
And you’re right…how did max have the gumption to pick a fight with what’s his name from the Capitals with a bum shoulder? Amazing indeed!
Matt Bodenschatz
Jul 6, 11:44 AM
@Dabich, indications from Shero are that Pesonen is unlikely to re-sign. Apparently he is looking for a team with a roster that is easier to crack.
Regarding Talbot, he picked a fight against the Flyers’ Dan Carcillo in round one. My guess is he hurt his shoulder much later in the playoffs. Even so, he’s one tough dude.
bag o' pucks
Jul 6, 11:56 AM
SIGN MIKE ZIGOMA....oh, nevermind…
Well, so much for trading Dupuis.
Matt Bodenschatz
Jul 6, 12:00 PM
Yeah, I think this puts an end to Dupuis trade rumors unless Shero has plans to add a Zigomanis for cap-saving purposes. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind re-signing Zigomanis to a two-way deal and having him work with the team’s young centers (primarily Jeffrey) on faceoffs. But I doubt Zigomanis wants an AHL contract. And I doubt Shero has an interest in retaining his rights.
Dabich
Jul 6, 01:05 PM
Thanks for setting me straight, Matt. Regardless, Mad Max sure has guts!
Moq
Jul 6, 01:23 PM
The operation is an old story, but the loss of a month of regular season is news to me. It isn’t a big problem in my opinion. Move Kennedy up a notch and add Dupuis or a call-up to the Staal line. A nice test to see how Kennedy would do in a top-6 role.
There’s still a Mark Parrish out there… :-)
Matt Bodenschatz
Jul 6, 01:44 PM
@Dabich, just clarifying for others in the discussion. Talbot definitely is a tough player. I’ve always said Cup Champs need at least one player like Talbot. He’s as close to “core” as any non core player is.
@Moq, interesting idea. It just goes to illustrate the possibilities this team has because of its depth. When someone gets hurt, there are 2-3 internal options already on the team to replace, and an additional 2-3 in the minors.
KG
Jul 6, 01:45 PM
Malkin/Fedotenko/Dupuis whoopee! = )
Jon
Jul 6, 02:07 PM
And the legend of “Superstar” Max Talbot grows. Two Game 7 goals on a bum shoulder.
bag o' pucks
Jul 6, 02:08 PM
Talbot = glue guy. Took over the role from Army.
Pens1967
Jul 6, 02:33 PM
Actually, I think this strengthens the chances of Petr Sykora being re-signed.
Colin44
Jul 6, 02:56 PM
@pens I doubt that the penguins would eat up a significant portion of their remaining cap space just because talbot will miss one month of the regular season. They may still sign sykora but I doubt it will be because of talbot’s injury.
REBEL
Jul 6, 03:48 PM
Guys, I think Talbot’s injury may give more weight to the idea of re-signing Pesonen. It was only in May that Shero stated publicly that he was interested in retaining him. A legitimate shot at making the team may motivate Pesonen as well, especially if there is little interest elsewhere.
PeterLeeLives
Jul 6, 04:43 PM
@MOQ...What about Ales Kotalik? He has scored in the past playing with average players in Buffalo, let’s try him here. Price has to be right though!!
DaBich
Jul 6, 06:43 PM
Matt, no problem. I’m gettin old and my memory sometimes gets confused LOL =)
Moq
Jul 6, 06:55 PM
@Rebel, I don’t think Talbot’s injury will encourage Shero to re-sign Pesonen. He’ll not be a sufficient upgrade over the in-house options to warrent another contract IMO.
@Peter, I wouldn’t mind Kotalik if had the cap space available. One could imagine a scenario where it would be possible, eg. by trading Dupuis. But I’m reluctant to speculate about that possibility until it’s a fact.
Another contributing factor could be the rapid decline in cap space around the league, which may force remaining free agents to take less. Kotalik and others may be forced to lower their demands, which might benefit us. But again, that is speculative.
Albert
Jul 7, 08:45 AM
One month is not a big deal. Pens don’t need more forwards.
The pens remaining cap space should be spent on 1 high quality defensive defenseman.
teri
Jul 24, 09:51 AM
Max originally injured the left shoulder in the juniors. He REALLY hurt it earlier in this past season. Remember when he went to the bench and stuffed a towel in his mouth when the trainer checked him? And then he left the ice with the left arm hanging? I KNEW it was not good (I am a former ER nurse and I know that position well). So he played virtually the entire 2nd half of the season with a sore left shoulder. Makes his play, esp in the playoffs, all that more remarkable. By the end of the playoffs he could barely take a faceoff because of the pain and lack of strength in the arm. He is a trooper and one amazing guy….and one heck of an all-round good person….JMNSHO.
Matt Bodenschatz
Jul 24, 10:32 AM
Thanks for the insight, Teri. Hockey players are a tough bunch, and Talbot just further proves that!
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