When the Detroit Red Wings fan base was discussing the arrival of new goalie for the 2025-26 NHL season, they weren’t thinking it would be their old goalie reinventing himself.
Talbot said he assumed when the Red Wings traded for John Gibson, they weren’t bringing him in to be a backup. Gibson, 32, is younger than Talbot, 38, and was coming off a quality season in Anaheim.
But Talbot did what he always does: he worked in the offseason with the idea to make himself a better goalie the following season. Perhaps the anticipated competition with Gibson added motivation because Talbot is off to a strong start. Coaches like to go with the hot hand, and that is Talbot with a 3-0 record, 1.78 GAA and .932 save percentage.
Red Wings vs Panthers Thoughts:
My biggest takeaway is Detroit never backed down from Florida’s physicality, time after time the Wings kept coming no matter what way the ice was tilted.
Cam Talbot is MYSTICAL, I cant believe he is 3-0 with a .92 SV% playing like an animal.… pic.twitter.com/xKJ5WFPgpp
— Justin Satawa (@Justin_Satawa) October 16, 2025
Talbot looked in charge with 21 saves in a 4-1 win against the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers.
“Real good performance,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said. “I thought our players around Talbs did a real good job. They sling so many pucks to the net. Penalty killers. Blocked a lot of shots, second layer, third layer
blocks and helped him out. But when pucks did get through, he found a way to get something on it. And the rebound
situations, he handled quite well, too.”
Red Wings In Case You Missed It
Detroit draft pick Eddie Genborg continues to look sharp in the Swedish Hockey League.
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Lucas Raymond’s injury is not serious. He’s listed as day-to-day.
Red Wings Extra
Former Red Wings player Daniel Sprong has 14 points in 14 KHL games this season for CSKA. But that production didn’t prevent coach Igor Nikitin from temporarily suspending Sprong. Russia’s Sport Express reported Nikitin suspended Sprong suspended him because he “was disatisfied with his behavior” and the forward does “meet his requirements and does not fit into the team game.”
According to the website, Sprong will at least miss CSKA’s road games against Lokomotiv and Torpedo. CSKA, with Detroit prospect Dmitri Buchelnikov also on the team, is in ninth place in the Western Conference.
Hockey Now Network
Chicago: Nick Foligno is taking a leave of absence to deal with family issues. Chicago Blackhawks.
Colorado: Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood is recovering from his injury, but he is unlikely to play this week. Colorado Avalanche.
Florida: Panthers claim ex-Detroit draftee Donovan Sebrango. Florida Panthers.
Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski explores whether GM Kyle Dubas’s roster strategy is working out or not. Pittsburgh Penguins.
San Jose: Defensemen John Klingberg and Timothy Liljegren could miss San Jose’s game against Utah because of injuries. San Jose Sharks.
Vegas: Adin Hill was injured in a game against the Calgary Flames. Vegas Golden Knights.