We could all see this coming, some of us just didn’t want to admit it! Lightning goalie Ben Bishop is gone, traded to the Los Angeles Kings for 2 players and some draft picks. You know the story, Bish is about to become an unrestricted free agent next season, and the NHL Expansion Draft would most likely see the Lightning lose him anyway.
Business is Business
When you come close, and don’t win the Stanley Cup, no one is untouchable. Maybe if Bish had remained healthy, GM Steve Yzerman would have redirected the future of the franchise… signed Bishop to a long-term deal, traded Andrei Vasilevskiy. But Vasy is younger, has more upside, and costs less money (right now). The deal frees up cap space (ah, that ugly salary cap) for Yzerman to keep Jonathan Drouin, or Tyler Johnson, or Ondrej Palat, or Brian Boyle.
It’s tough to take since Bish is such a great guy, a local fan favorite (have you listened to the cheers when he’s introduced before a game?), and a finalist for the Vezina Trophy. He’s one of the best in the NHL. Now, he’s one of two starting goalies on the Kings.
So, Yzerman and the Lightning have to look to the future. The main King in the deal is young defenseman Erik Cernak, who scouts say can develop into a top-4 blue-liner. Goalie Peter Budaj actually is having a better season than Bish, with 7 shutouts, but he’ll be a backup to Vasilevskiy. And there are the draft choices.
Collecting prospects, and watching the bottom line. The business model of the Lightning. Sounds like the Rays, what do you think?
