Worrying about that is absurd. You only worry about making your team the best you can. In no way is it in Yzerman's head "Can't trade him to Dallas in case, the million to 1 odds of us meeting in the cup happen!!"
- j.boyd919

You really don't think GM's think about that? I don't know exactly what they think about but usually when trading very good players they try to avoid in division and stuff, why? I also don't think trading him to Dallas gets us any better so there is that part too.

You really don't think GM's think about that? I don't know exactly what they think about but usually when trading very good players they try to avoid in division and stuff, why? I also don't think trading him to Dallas gets us any better so there is that part too.
- Kucherovski

Wut?

Wut?
- uf1910

That was my thought too.

Moving Bishop is ridiculous. Vezina nominated twice in the last three years. Do you forget the goalie carousel around here after Habby. Yes Vasi played great but he's no Bishop, plays the European style and rarely leaves the crease, Bish is like a fifth D man and he got us to the playoffs carrying the team all year. Vasy need more time to be a number one, rebound control, puck handling, etc. Still has a tendency to go down too early but at least he starting protecting the short side better. No criticism for the flakey bounce under his glove last night. Yes he's a rising star and cheap but you don't move the caliber of Bishop every day. He's already getting 5.9 what will it go to 7.5 not a lot more. If you had to trade one it would be Vasy if there is a draft this year, otherwise keep them both for another two or three years. His stock just went up and he'd be a helluva chip to try and take a shot at the number two or three overall who we could enjoy their ELC for a few years.

Vladdy could be a trade chip especially if Erne is ready to make the jump soon. We need a little more size on the third line
- tpd11

I think you keep Vladdy, he is a Filpulla esq. player with better offensive upside and is still very young. He can hold down the center position on the third line and in the event of injuries he can easily move up to the first or second line.

You really don't think GM's think about that? I don't know exactly what they think about but usually when trading very good players they try to avoid in division and stuff, why? I also don't think trading him to Dallas gets us any better so there is that part too.
- Kucherovski

Inter-division, yes, thats because its a team they are going to see 7+ times a year. It's a 100% chance you meet that team, but with a Dallas/Tampa SCF... the odds are SO god damn small, there is no reason to think about that scenario... and trading him to Dallas frees up Cap space, making Vasi the new no. 1, gives the Lightning money to provide higher skilled depth players on the 3rd, 4th line and on D, thus making Tampa better....

Who do you guys think has the higher potential/overall ceiling?
Bishop or Vasi?
- EdmHockeyMan

I'd say Vasi but the important thing Bishop has over him is his puck handling ability. It really helps to get the Lightnings transition game going, making the upcoming goaltending decision a very difficult one.

Moving Bishop is ridiculous. Vezina nominated twice in the last three years. Do you forget the goalie carousel around here after Habby. Yes Vasi played great but he's no Bishop, plays the European style and rarely leaves the crease, Bish is like a fifth D man and he got us to the playoffs carrying the team all year. Vasy need more time to be a number one, rebound control, puck handling, etc. Still has a tendency to go down too early but at least he starting protecting the short side better. No criticism for the flakey bounce under his glove last night. Yes he's a rising star and cheap but you don't move the caliber of Bishop every day. He's already getting 5.9 what will it go to 7.5 not a lot more. If you had to trade one it would be Vasy if there is a draft this year, otherwise keep them both for another two or three years. His stock just went up and he'd be a helluva chip to try and take a shot at the number two or three overall who we could enjoy their ELC for a few years.
- tpd11

At some point the CAP will play a part in the goal tending situation. Can you keep a 30 year Bishop at 8M for 75 years or go with a 21 year old on a lesser deal. Going to be tricky and the off season and into next year with contracts that defines Steve Yzerman's tenure as GM.

Moving Bishop is ridiculous. Vezina nominated twice in the last three years. Do you forget the goalie carousel around here after Habby. Yes Vasi played great but he's no Bishop, plays the European style and rarely leaves the crease, Bish is like a fifth D man and he got us to the playoffs carrying the team all year. Vasy need more time to be a number one, rebound control, puck handling, etc. Still has a tendency to go down too early but at least he starting protecting the short side better. No criticism for the flakey bounce under his glove last night. Yes he's a rising star and cheap but you don't move the caliber of Bishop every day. He's already getting 5.9 what will it go to 7.5 not a lot more. If you had to trade one it would be Vasy if there is a draft this year, otherwise keep them both for another two or three years. His stock just went up and he'd be a helluva chip to try and take a shot at the number two or three overall who we could enjoy their ELC for a few years.
- tpd11

Don't disagree with much you said here, but it is extremely difficult to trade a 21 year old future star in Vasi. In a perfect world you keep em both and in a few years you can then move Bish, but with expansion draft looming that is more than likely not an option. A decision will have to be made in the very near future and given the age and ceiling of Vasi I just don't believe SY will or for that matter can move him.

This "go down too early" crap is so stupid. That is NBCS bullpoop honestly. Patrick Roy went down as one of the best tenders of all time "going down early". Find me a current butterfly tender who doesn't go down early and I will find alot of squeaky five holes and under the pad goals against

At some point the CAP will play a part in the goal tending situation. Can you keep a 30 year Bishop at 8M for 75 years or go with a 21 year old on a lesser deal. Going to be tricky and the off season and into next year with contracts that defines Steve Yzerman's tenure as GM.
- stammerman

75 years is one long contract.

I have no issue moving Bishop, most of you crucify me when I mention it. I say, send him to Dallas, Dallas then send equal pay to St. Louis and St. Louis sends us Shattenkirk plus+. Oh and Carle for Neimi straight up.
- Artyukhin76

I like the trade proposal the one guy was talking about the other day. Bishop to Dallas for Nichuskin + would be nice.

Inter-division, yes, thats because its a team they are going to see 7+ times a year. It's a 100% chance you meet that team, but with a Dallas/Tampa SCF... the odds are SO god damn small, there is no reason to think about that scenario... and trading him to Dallas frees up Cap space, making Vasi the new no. 1, gives the Lightning money to provide higher skilled depth players on the 3rd, 4th line and on D, thus making Tampa better....
- j.boyd919

With KoEkkoek coming up and the D is set , lose Carle and Filp and you have 33 mil to deal with. Dallas already has 11 mil tied up in goalies.

I like the trade proposal the one guy was talking about the other day. Bishop to Dallas for Nichuskin + would be nice.
- jvar17

Based on what I have seen of Nich I would like to see alot of ++ in this scenario. I freely admit I haven't seen much of him when he has been healthy but I haven't seen the difference maker type of player (yet)

Moving Bishop is ridiculous. Vezina nominated twice in the last three years. Do you forget the goalie carousel around here after Habby. Yes Vasi played great but he's no Bishop, plays the European style and rarely leaves the crease, Bish is like a fifth D man and he got us to the playoffs carrying the team all year. Vasy need more time to be a number one, rebound control, puck handling, etc. Still has a tendency to go down too early but at least he starting protecting the short side better. No criticism for the flakey bounce under his glove last night. Yes he's a rising star and cheap but you don't move the caliber of Bishop every day. He's already getting 5.9 what will it go to 7.5 not a lot more. If you had to trade one it would be Vasy if there is a draft this year, otherwise keep them both for another two or three years. His stock just went up and he'd be a helluva chip to try and take a shot at the number two or three overall who we could enjoy their ELC for a few years.
- tpd11

I so glad you don't make important decisions. Tell me smart guy, wtf do we do in 5 years? Hope someone comes along? Ask the magical goalie fairy to send us another Vasy?

With KoEkkoek coming up and the D is set , lose Carle and Filp and you have 33 mil to deal with. Dallas already has 11 mil tied up in goalies.
- tpd11

They will move one or both of them. Could very well see a Bish/Carle package and in return we get one of the 2 Stars tenders +

Don't disagree with much you said here, but it is extremely difficult to trade a 21 year old future star in Vasi. In a perfect world you keep em both and in a few years you can then move Bish, but with expansion draft looming that is more than likely not an option. A decision will have to be made in the very near future and given the age and ceiling of Vasi I just don't believe SY will or for that matter can move him.

This "go down too early" crap is so stupid. That is NBCS bullpoop honestly. Patrick Roy went down as one of the best tenders of all time "going down early". Find me a current butterfly tender who doesn't go down early and I will find alot of squeaky five holes and under the pad goals against
- uf1910

No it was from watching him all year, really don't care about what Nbcs says

75 years is one long contract.
- j.boyd919

Even by DiPietro standards

I so glad you don't make important decisions. Tell me smart guy, wtf do we do in 5 years? Hope someone comes along? Ask the magical goalie fairy to send us another Vasy?
- Artyukhin76

Really Arty You think your opinion is always correct. You've had a boy crush on this kid for years, yes he had a good series but his GAA all year and Save % were average. In five years ? How long do you think a window stays open? With the new crop of goalies coming out every year and at a quality you're seeing why worry about 5 years, the window is still open now. Look at Murray and Jones etc. I would rather leave them both for a few years, but with a possible draft and if you need to read again so you understood what I wrote go ahead take your time to fully understand it.

Based on what I have seen of Nich I would like to see alot of ++ in this scenario. I freely admit I haven't seen much of him when he has been healthy but I haven't seen the difference maker type of player (yet)
- uf1910

Yeah, most likely a pick and prospect to go with it if there was a deal to be had.

tough break guys, wings fans were hoping you would make it into the finals

stamkos leaving sucks, but in the long run 7-8 x 10+ would be a bad contract in a few years

Hedman is gonna be looking for big money too, my guess is 9ish a year and i would pay him that no problem

Inter-division, yes, thats because its a team they are going to see 7+ times a year. It's a 100% chance you meet that team, but with a Dallas/Tampa SCF... the odds are SO god damn small, there is no reason to think about that scenario... and trading him to Dallas frees up Cap space, making Vasi the new no. 1, gives the Lightning money to provide higher skilled depth players on the 3rd, 4th line and on D, thus making Tampa better....
- j.boyd919

You forgot you said you have to take one of the Dallas goalies back. Take one of them back and you get very little cap space. If Dallas moves one of their goalies somewhere else first then cool, makes sense but if they get the Dallas backup, lets say Niemi because he is older, the Lightning save very little money.

Really Arty You think your opinion is always correct. You've had a boy crush on this kid for years, yes he had a good series but his GAA all year and Save % were average. In five years ? How long do you think a window stays open? With the new crop of goalies coming out every year and at a quality you're seeing why worry about 5 years, the window is still open now. Look at Murray and Jones etc. I would rather leave them both for a few years, but with a possible draft and if you need to read again so you understood what I wrote go ahead take your time to fully understand it.
- tpd11

You wanna talk crushes. You're on eBay everyday to see if Bishops used jockstrap has been offered up.

One or two goalie that make it how many dozens don't? I'd like you who lives at me now I think about what this team is going to look like in a few years. And I imagine our general manager does the same. It's guys like you but give the cowboy years a level of sanity.

At some point the CAP will play a part in the goal tending situation. Can you keep a 30 year Bishop at 8M for 75 years or go with a 21 year old on a lesser deal. Going to be tricky and the off season and into next year with contracts that defines Steve Yzerman's tenure as GM.
- stammerman

Bishop has a NMC now not after July 1.

tough break guys, wings fans were hoping you would make it into the finals

stamkos leaving sucks, but in the long run 7-8 x 10+ would be a bad contract in a few years

Hedman is gonna be looking for big money too, my guess is 9ish a year and i would pay him that no problem
- digitalbath

Hedman is soft, Hedman can skate very well and has a great hockey IQ but he is soft. Maybe he was just hurt this series but he looked pretty poor. He doesn't really use that massive body of his to move people, he relies more on his stick and speed but what happens when his speed gets a little slower as he ages?

You wanna talk crushes. You're on eBay everyday to see if Bishops used jockstrap has been offered up.

One or two goalie that make it how many dozens don't? I'd like you who lives at me now I think about what this team is going to look like in a few years. And I imagine our general manager does the same. It's guys like you but give the cowboy years a level of sanity.
- Artyukhin76

Now you're just sounding dumb, where did you think up eBay. Something you do regularly? Did you forget what draft picks are for?