MONTREAL — The Wild has completed one of its most important assignments of the offseason by fortifying its goaltending, but the situation might still be unresolved.
After re-signing Marc-Andre Fleury to a two-year, $7 million contract on Thursday, General Manager Bill Guerin planned to speak with Cam Talbot to "make sure that he's good," and the effect Fleury's return has on Talbot became a topic Friday at the NHL draft in Montreal.
In a comment made to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, Talbot's agent George Bazos said he and Guerin "stated our positions" and "Billy has a lot to think about."
With Fleury on the roster, the Wild is poised to resume a rotation between the two goalies like the team had before the playoffs — a split that doesn't indicate a clear hierarchy. Had Fleury — who started five of the six playoff games — signed elsewhere, the Wild would likely have acquired a bona fide backup to play behind Talbot.
Once the season ended, Talbot expressed the disappointment he felt at not playing more in the first round against St. Louis but said he understood the team's decision. The 35-year-old also made it clear he wanted and expected to be back with the Wild, what with him going into the final season of a three-year, $11 million contract.
And that's the fact Guerin underscored when asked about Talbot's status.
"Cam Talbot's under contract," Guerin said. "George can say whatever the hell he wants. My team's set right now, and that's the way it goes. So, we can have all the discussions we want.
"Cam's a member of our team. Like I've said, we really like Cam. All we're trying to do is win. All we're trying to do is have good, strong goaltending, and I think we have that."