Max Talbot. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Max Talbot – Boston Bruins
Though I whole-heartedly disagree, Talbot is the exact type of player GM’s love to add at the trade deadline for added depth. He has built a reputation as a playoff performer, mainly based off his Stanley Cup performance with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and teams see him as a great locker room guy.
With Talbot, what you see is what you get. He’s nothing more than a fourth line forward with average production for that role. Personally, I’d avoid considering him as an option unless injury situations dictate a need for someone like him. But, I fully expect someone to overvalue his ability and surrender a mid to late round pick for his services.
Talbot’s upside is that he carries a low cap hit of $1 million and he’ll be fairly easy to fit for most teams looking to make a push. From a Pens’ perspective, they have plenty of bottom-six depth at this point. Maybe that will change by the time February arrives but if it doesn’t, let’s hope Jim Rutherford strays from the traditional need to add even more grit.
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