On the first day of the NHL free agency period, the Tampa Bay Lightning signed back-up goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy to a three year extension worth $3.5 million dollars per year. Vasilevskiy was a reliable back-up for Ben Bishop. In the regular season, he went 11-10-0 with one shutout. He also had a .910 SV% and a 2.76 GAA. He also replaced Bishop as the starter in the conference finals against the Penguins when Bishop fell weirdly in game
one. At next year’s expansion draft, the Lightning have to get rid of one of the two goaltenders. Vasilevskiy, 22 is the younger of the two though Bishop is only 29. Bishop has moved into the starter role, after being traded from the Senators. He’s been one of Tampa’s best players over the last few seasons. He has been consistent and reliable and was runner up to Braden Holtby for the Vezina Trophy last season. This could be a sign that Bishop is heading to Vegas. Of course, nobody can be sure this will happen but with the signing of Vasilevskiy who has been improving and the need to sign more key players over the next few seasons, this could factor into this decision. Vasilevskiy could move into the starter role.
NHLEVERYTHING 