abcnews
In a milestone performance on Friday night, Cam Talbot of the Columbus Blue Jackets became the first goaltender in NHL history to record a win with nine different franchises. The 36-year-old netminder turned aside 20 shots and was perfect in the shootout, leading Columbus to a 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins at Nationwide Arena.
Talbot, who is in his first season with the Blue Jackets and his 13th overall in the league, denied all three Pittsburgh shooters in the tiebreaker to secure the historic win. The previous record of eight teams had been shared by Curtis McElhinney, Sean Burke, and Ron Tugnutt.
Throughout his career, Talbot has earned victories with the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild, Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and now the Blue Jackets. His latest achievement adds another chapter to a journeyman career that has seen him suit up for nearly a third of the league's teams.
Key Analysis
Talbot's record-setting night underscores the rarity of his longevity and adaptability. Winning with nine different teams requires not only skill but also the ability to quickly integrate into new systems and earn trust. As goaltenders continue to move more frequently in the modern NHL, Talbot's mark may stand for some time, but it also highlights the unpredictable nature of a goalie's career path.
Originally reported by abcnews.