Ex-Penguin Maxime Talbot Signs 5-year Deal With Flyers

By Alex Murashko, CP Contributor Friday, July 01, 2011

Free agent Maxime Talbot signed a $9 million, 5-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers Friday.

The Flyers' agreement with the former Pittsburgh Penguin hockey player came just one hour after Philadelphia announced a 1-year deal for forward Jaromir Jagr, a former All-Star who was a first-round draft pick of the Penguins in 1990.

Talbot, 27, is a 5-foot-11, 190-pound center, who had eight goals and 21 points last season for the Penguins. Talbot told reporters that the Flyers were the best team making the right offer.

"It's going to be tough on us," Talbot said when asked how the Pittsburgh fans might react when they first see he and Jagr in Flyers uniforms. "It was tough for me to leave in the first place, as my heart has always been with the Pittsburgh Penguins. But at the same time, it's a new challenge for me in Philly. It's going to be real interesting.

"I never thought I'd play for another team in my life. So, it's been a rough couple of weeks for me."

Talbot can play the wing or at center, and when news of his rejection of a 3-year offer from the Penguins GM Ray Shero surfaced, the Flyers began circling for Talbot, according to news reports. He is also known for being a vital member of the penalty kill.

The Flyers also signed free-agent defenseman Andreas Lilja, 35, away from the Anaheim Ducks, and gave a contract extension to right wing Jakub Voracek, 22, acquired from Columbus in the Jeff Carter trade last week.

"I believe in the changes, I believe in this team," Talbot said. "Two years ago, they were in the Stanley Cup final, so I'm going to an exciting place."

Talbot was originally drafted from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He led the Hull/Gatineau Olympiques to back-to-back President's Cups while earning the Guy Lafleur Trophy as playoff MVP both years. He won the Stanley Cup in his fourth season with the Penguins in 2009.