Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Lightning lock up Vasilevskiy -- what now for Bishop?

2015 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Two

TAMPA, FL - JUNE 06: Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning prepares to take the ice for Ben Bishop #30 during the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks during Game Two of the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena on June 6, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Another big signing in Tampa Bay, and this one could have consequences.

The Lightning have locked up 21-year-old Andrei Vasilevskiy to a three-year contract extension worth $3.5-million per season. The deal doesn’t start until 2017-18, so he’s Tampa Bay property through 2019-20.

Vasilevskiy went 11-10-0 with a .910 save percentage last season. Not the greatest numbers, but he’s been touted as the Lightning’s goalie of the future since they drafted him 19th overall in 2012. And for the record, he was solid in this year’s playoffs (.925 SV% in eight appearances) when Ben Bishop got hurt.

Speaking of Bishop, the Lightning can officially explore trading the 29-year-old. Not because they want to, but because Bishop can become an unrestricted free agent next summer and cap space is going to be an issue for GM Steve Yzerman.

This week alone the Lightning have signed both Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman to giant extensions.

Still unsigned for next season: restricted free agents Nikita Kucherov, Alex Killorn and Vladislav Namestnikov.

Those that will need a new contract before 2017-18: Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, Jonathan Drouin, and Bishop.