Dallas Stars Scenarios To Acquire Ben Bishop
By Josh Clark
The NHL offseason is approaching quickly. Do the Dallas Stars stand a chance at making headlines and picking up a big name player from Tampa Bay?
The rumor mill has slowly died down since the 2016 NHL entry draft ended on Saturday afternoon. But as the July 1st free agency market approaches, the reports and speculations will begin to surface once again.
One rather interesting and popular rumor that floated around for the majority of Friday and Saturday was the one between the Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning. The main player involved was Ben Bishop.
It’s an intriguing theory, and one that can be interpreted on many different levels. Many have wrestled with the idea over the past few days, and as the free agency market creeps to an opening one question is clear: do the Dallas Stars have a shot at trading for Ben Bishop?
At first glance, the question is centered around what would have to happen in each team’s corner. What would the Stars have to give away? What do the Lightning need? Why is Tampa Bay even considering giving up a franchise goaltender like Bishop?
Well, the simple answer to that last question is expansion. With Las Vegas being confirmed as the next hockey destination and an expansion draft coming up next offseason, the Lightning might as well loosen their load. The draft will only allow each team to protect a maximum of one goaltender, and the Lightning are currently gifted with two.
Alongside Bishop is the talented youngster Andrei Vasilevskiy, who has already proven himself as a competent NHL starter with a bright future. That being said, the Lightning would be smart to keep the young goalie around instead of mess with the 29-year old. Though both still have a long career ahead, it is just smarter to stick with the younger side.
So Bishop is available. Why don’t the Stars throw everything they’ve got at obtaining him? The sad reality is, a lot would need to happen in order for Dallas to bring the American to their crease by next season.
The Lightning are trying to get something in exchange for Bishop at this point before he is snatched up in the expansion draft with nothing granted in return. That being said, the Dallas Stars could be a prime store to pick and choose from.
The problem at the moment is Steven Stamkos. The Lightning are struggling to find common ground with the superstar center, and as a result could potentially be losing their best player to the market in three days. And like dangling a duckling over a gator-infested swamp, a multitude of other teams have opened up cap space specifically to make an offer to Stamkos.
The Lightning do not have enough cap space and room to wrap both Bishop and Stamkos in for the future, which simply creates another reason to move Bishop.
This is where the Dallas Stars can pounce. With the number of free agents the Stars have decided to leave behind this offseason, they have plenty of cap space to take on a contract. But there just remains one problem: what does Dallas do with Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi?
The Stars are handcuffed to their current starting goaltenders, and it does not look to be changing anytime soon. The two combine for a $10.4 million cap hit, just about a seventh of the team’s total.
Stars’ general manager Jim Nill has already pointed out that he will not be buying out Lehtonen (5.9 million cap hit) or Niemi (4.5 million) this offseason. The goalie tandem tallied 25 wins a piece and led Dallas to the top seed in the Western Conference. The Stanley Cup Playoffs seemed to put the goalies in a trance, and the Stars quickly fell downhill.
So all in all, what are we looking at? Let’s sum it up.
Basically, the Lightning are trying to get rid of Bishop. They need space for Stamkos to nestle in for the long run, and their young goaltending is proving to be effective. With the expansion draft looming, Tampa won’t be able to protect Bishop at all. That being said, they are trying to get something in return for him this year.
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If the Dallas Stars truly do want Bishop and are still pursuing him, it’s going to take some effort. Not only will the Stars have to give up a player like young defender Julius Honka or improving forwards Brett Ritchie or Curtis McKenzie, but they will also have to shed a goalie. Carrying three goaltenders is idiotic, especially considering how much would be invested.
With Bishop sitting at a $5.95 million cap hit, Dallas would need to send Niemi or Lehtonen packing along with a skater or two and maybe a pick. Bishop is only signed through 2016-2017, so the Stars could decide on his future next offseason, and determine where a contract offer would fit with Jamie Benn‘s contract extension kicking in around the same time.
If Nill could work his magic once again and swing the deal, the Stars would be looking at their best chance at a Stanley Cup in years. If they don’t, there are still aspirations for a birth in the Finals next season. It’s all about perspective.
Next: Stars Set To Play Waiting Game, Revisit UFA's After July 1
So what is Nill planning on doing? Is he still eyeing Bishop? Or is he sticking with the “I’m comfortable with the goalies we have,” story? Either way, he’s going to find a way to surprise us all. Stay tuned.