The Tampa Bay Lightning are saddled with what some might call a good problem to have. The team is in possession of two outstanding goalies, and need to make a decision going forward whether their number one netminder Ben Bishop will stay with the team long term. The 29-year-old is still on contract through next season with a $5.95 million salary cap hit.
Number two goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy has also been playing well.
"A lot of people think they're very, very close as far as ability," NBCSN analyst Eddie Olczyk stated, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Joe Smith.
At 21 years of age, Vasilevskiy is a lot younger than Bishop, and his talent lines him up to eventually replace Tampa's current number one. If his skills keep improving by the time Bishop's contract is up next year, maybe the Bolts would take a chance in letting him go, and going with a younger main goaltender. Vasilevskiy's lower salary would also most likely make this worth it. Bishop's trade value is currently through the roof, so that may be a factor as well.
They should not overlook Bishop's accomplishments though. He is one of the main reasons the team are in a playoff position this season, and he is on pace for a third consecutive 30-win season. He was on the All-Star team, led his team to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2014-15, and was a Vezina Trophy finalist. If the team can open up some salary space, they may decide to re-sign him and build their team around the solid goalie. At at only 30 next year, he would still have some good years left before he slowed down.
"Future Hall of Fame goalie Marty Brodeur, a Blues assistant GM, said Bishop belongs among the league's elite, a group that includes Carey Price, Henrik Lundqvist and Jonathan Quick. Franchise goalies aren't easy to come by. Vasilevskiy may very well turn into one. Bishop is on," according to Smith.
Even if the decision is a tough one, General Manager Steve Yzerman has stated that he is not committing to anything at the moment.
"It's Andrei's really first full year in the NHL, and he's getting an opportunity to play more. He's got an outstanding attitude, (is) an outstanding young goaltender. There's no need to rush it," stated Yzerman, according to Smith.
"Goalies have a huge impact on the game and on a team," Yzerman continued. "You need good goaltending to win in the NHL. Between Ben and Andrei, we feel we've got a really good tandem. The two of them give us a chance to win every single night."
