"Really unfortunate," Senators coach D.J. Smith said Tuesday. "I was under the impression he'd be a couple days, maybe a practice, two practices. And then to hear he's out the amount of time he is out affects us."
The 35-year-old goalie sustained an injury when hit underneath his pads by a shot, according to Smith.
"I can tell you 'Talbie' ... wants to play, he's hungry to play," Smith said. "This is certainly not enjoyable for him. We wouldn't put him in a situation where he's in danger; but at the same point, if there's a guy to beat the timeline, it would be him."
Talbot was acquired by the Senators in a trade with the Minnesota Wild on July 12. He was 32-12-4 with a 2.76 goals-against average, .911 save percentage and three shutouts in 49 games (48 starts) with the Wild last season and 0-1 with a 4.15 GAA and .846 save percentage in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Ottawa claimed goalie
Magnus Hellberg
off waivers from the Seattle Kraken on Monday. The 31-year-old is 2-2-0 with a 2.81 GAA and .869 save percentage in five NHL games with the Nashville Predators, New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings.
"He's a huge guy (6-foot-6)," Smith said of Hellberg. "He's 31 years old and as a goalie, you never know. He'll get an opportunity here to see if he can play in this league."
The Senators also have goalie Anton Forsberg. The 29-year-old was 22-17-4 with a 2.82 GAA and .917 save percentage in 46 games (44 starts) with Ottawa last season.
"I think everybody ... in our locker room believes in 'Forsie' and knows how talented he is and knows how hard he works," Smith said. "The guys love him, they're going to play for him. I'm sure when we start, he'll be ready."
The Senators begin their season at the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 13.
