Cam Talbot Pro Read 12
With Cam Talbot
Using ‘Windows’ to Manage Plays Behind Net
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Cam Talbot delivered exceptional advice during an extended return to Pro Reads last season, so we didn’t want to wait too long before getting the Detroit Red Wings goalie back in the mix when he came through Vancouver this season.
Not only has Talbot been a three-time NHL All Star Game goalie since his Pro Reads debut back with the Minnesota Wild, but he’s also a perfect guest because he credits a big part of that late-career rise to his work with Vizual Edge, which now sponsors the segment, and that training plays a role in this save breakdown.
THE SEQUENCE
After a battle in the corner to Talbot’s left, the puck ends up behind the net for Panthers forward Sam Reinhart to skate onto it on his forehand with pace:
At this point, what are the scoring options you must consider as a goalie?
Perhaps more importantly, how do you solve them?
Are you worried about Reinhart wrapping this puck around? If so, when are you thinking about leaving that left post? When are you turning your head?
What are the most dangerous passing options? How can you best manage those?
Any thoughts on how Talbot is managing this in the freeze frame above – why he holds his edges rather than using a reverse, or stays on his left post?
The Save
Watch the video to see how this plays out and ask yourself the same questions:
Clearly Talbot was wise to stay on that post after seeing Reinhart make a nice blind backhand pass to Sam Bennett, so the question is whether you think the way Talbot managed this left him exposed to the wrapround? Or is he still in a good spot?
What did you like about how he played this? Anything you’d do different?
THE PRO READ
Now let’s hear from Talbot as he shares advice on managing plays like this:
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- Cam Talbot breaks down his save on a Sam Reinhart wraparound and blind backhand pass to Sam Bennett while playing for the Detroit Red Wings against the Florida Panthers.
- Talbot identifies the first key as reading threats before the puck exits the corner — he uses a quick shoulder check behind the net to locate dangerous options away from the puck before Reinhart even touches it.
- Staying on the left post rather than using a reverse VH held his edges and kept him positioned to cut off both the wraparound and the backdoor pass to Bennett.
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