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Dallas Stars Signed Ben Bishop Too Early, Cost Themselves A Backup

By Allison Scott

Mar 29, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Los Angeles Kings goalie Ben Bishop (31) during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Los Angeles Kings goalie Ben Bishop (31) during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The goalie situation is looking a lot brighter for the Dallas Stars after signing Ben Bishop to a long term deal. But it might have looked even better had Nill waited just a little bit longer on the Bishop deal.

While there is no doubt that the Dallas Stars were in need of a new starting goaltender and there were few superior options to Ben Bishop, they could have had a better end result if they had waited.

Bishop Signing

A week ago the Stars signed the 30 year old to a six-year, $29.5 million contract. His deal includes a full no movement clause in the first half and a modified no trade clause in the second.

To even speak with him about possibly signing with the Stars, Dallas had to trade the Los Angeles Kings one of their fourth round picks in this year’s draft. That is by no means a large cost, but does increase the amount of pressure on Bishop to perform.

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    • Patience is a Virtue

    Although it is commendable that Nill was able to ink Bishop for a reasonable price and a solid longevity, the real question is whether or not it was premature.

    No matter how they choose to go about the upcoming expansion draft, the Stars can only protect one goaltender. Obviously with the signing of their most recent man of the crease, it only seems logical that he is getting that spot.

    While the Stars seem rightfully less concerned about losing either Kari Lehtonen or Antti Niemi to the draft, they are in a position now where they have to protect Bishop.

    If they had waited, however, Dallas could have had the ability to acquire an elite backup goaltender who would otherwise be susceptible to the draft and, therefore, of little use to his current organization. They then could have protected their new backup and gone after Bishop on or after July 1 when he would have become an unrestricted free agent.

    What it Means

    While acquiring a goaltender that has been a focal point of the organization for only a late round draft pick and a smaller price tag than anticipated is great, Nill could have pulled off an even better move had he practiced more patience.

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    The real question then becomes if there is a backup goaltender in the league that teams would be willing to part with for the right cost. Understandably Nill would not have given away any terribly significant players, but holding off on the Bishop deal could have helped the headache that is choosing which players to protect.

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