NHL Trade Grade: Oilers and Flyers swap Cam Talbot and Anthony Stolarz

The Philadelphia Flyers and Edmonton Oilers are exchanging goaltenders, as Cam Talbot is heading to the former while Anthony Stolarz is heading to the latter. Let’s grade the move for both sides. 

Both the Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers went into Friday with a slightly uncertain future in net. The former lacked a backup for de-facto starter Mikko Koskinen, who recently signed an extension. Meanwhile, the latter was looking for a veteran backup for rookie phenom Carter Hart. By the end of the night, both got what they wanted.

The two sides had been discussing a trade involving Cam Talbot. It is now official, as the Oilers have acquired Anthony Stolarz from the Flyers for Talbot. This trade is for one for one. Let’s take a look at the trade for both sides because it has implications for each team.

Oilers Perspective

More from Puck Prose

• Detroit Red Wings 2023 Rookie Camp Has Plenty of Ups and Downs
• This Columbus Blue Jackets rookie doesn’t want to be forgotten
• 2 trades the Boston Bruins must make to secure the Stanley Cup
• 3 reasons the Avalanche won’t win the Stanley Cup in 2024
• This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings

In Stolarz, Edmonton is hoping they’ve found a backup for Koskinen. He’ll be a restricted free agent after this season and hasn’t played in many NHL games, so he’ll come at a cheap price. Edmonton’s cap situation is ugly, so getting a cheap backup will certainly help things.

Stolarz has appeared in 19 games (14 starts) over the past two seasons. He has a career NHL save percentage of .911, including .902 this season in 12 appearances (10 starts). Stolarz is 25 years old, so he’s running out of time to develop. He passed through waivers earlier this season.

The most important thing the Oilers get through this trade is cap space. Now they don’t have to risk losing both Brandon Manning and Alex Petrovic on waivers in order to be cap compliant once Andrej Sekera’s conditioning stint is over.

Grade: B. I’m grading this one on a curve because Edmonton was painted into a corner and everyone knew they had to make a trade to get under the cap ceiling. All things considered, the Oilers did pretty well despite having the odds stacked against them. Hopefully, Stolarz will benefit from a change in scenery and a more consistent role.

Flyers Perspective

For Philadelphia, this trade is all about Hart and Talbot. The two goalies are good friends and have the same offseason goalie coach. They have a strong working relationship, which should bode well for their tandem. The Flyers don’t want to overwork Hart and Talbot has enough of a resume to warrant taking a shot on.

Don’t be surprised in the slightest if Talbot signs an extension in Philly. This is essentially an extended audition for next year’s backup job behind Hart. Even if things don’t work out with Talbot, there will be enough backups on the free agent market, so the Broad Street Bullies have nothing to be worried about.

The Flyers had soured on Stolarz. If they hadn’t, why would they be willing to trade him for someone who could potentially be gone in a few months? Good on them for getting something for a declining asset.

Grade: B+. Like this trade for Philadelphia. I’ll like it even more if they sign him to a reasonable extension. Talbot has had success in the past in a backup role. But then again, maybe that 2016-17 season took too much of a toll on him. It’s worth a shot, though.