What happened: Talbot's contract can reach $1.65 million, with $700,000 tied to performance bonuses on top of the $950,000 base. The 39-year-old veteran joins Columbus on a one-year agreement for the 2026-27 season.

Why it matters: That structure lets the Blue Jackets add an experienced goalie with a sub-$1 million guarantee as camp opens this week. It also leaves a meaningful share of the payout tied to performance rather than fully guaranteed money.

What to watch: The next detail to watch is the formal bonus breakdown once the league paperwork is complete. Training-camp usage will show how quickly Columbus plans to lean on Talbot.