Ottawa Senators healthy scratches player sending clear message his time with the team is over

With just four games to go in what has been a disappointing season to say the least, the Ottawa Senators are sending a very clear message to a major offseason acquisition. Goaltender Cam Talbot, picked up via trade with the Minnesota Wild in July of 2022, is eligible for tonight's game against the Florida Panthers, but is slated to sit out in order to let two younger netminders get some NHL experience. It's an interesting development with just four games left to go.

While it would have taken the miracle of all miracles for the Sens to get into the 2022-23 postseason before the regular seasons ends in four games, the team isn't mathematically eliminated. The decision to sit Talbot is firmly rooted in the fact that he hasn't lived up to expectations. When Talbot was acquired from Minnesota, Ottawa GM Pierre Dorion looked like he had hit a homerun, especially after managing to rid himself of the brutal Matt Murray contract. Instead, Talbot, who has dealt with some injuries, has managed a lackluster record of 16-14-2 in 35 games played so far. His last two games as Ottawa was trying to claw its way into the postseason have been especially bad. 4 goals on 22 shots on April 2nd (CBJ), 4 goals on 11 shots on March 30th (PHI).

It's hard to fault Dorion. The move should have worked. It didn't, and it happens at times. Talbot is a free agent once this season ends, and almost certainly won't be in a Sens jersey next year. Perhaps even worse for Dorion is that Filip Gustavsson, the young goaltender he traded to Minnesota for Talbot, is having a fantastic year. He's managed a 20-9-6 record in 36 games.

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