Bishop's trade value has decreased, but market remains open
There was a time, not long ago, when a trade sending Ben Bishop out of Tampa Bay seemed imminent.
The Lightning were fresh off their second deep playoff run in as many seasons, and Bishop, twice a Vezina Trophy finalist, was scheduled to become a casualty of the success he helped create.
That's because Bishop's contract is set to expire after this season, and Steve Yzerman appeared to tab Andrei Vasilevskiy the future go-to man in the fashion of a three-year contract extension last Summer.
But as the Lightning - perhaps more than any other team - have learned this season, things change, and usually fast.
In the midst of a trying season, Bishop's trade value isn't what it used to be, so what's next?
The numbers
In his fourth full season in Tampa Bay, Bishop has put together his worst yet in 2016-17.
That's not a knock on his skill, he's dealt with a lower-body injury and split time with Vasilevskiy. Not to mention, the once-reliable Lightning defense has turned to shambles, and that isn't Bishop's fault.
Still, the numbers speak for themselves: Bishop owns a save percentage of .907, well below his career-average of .919. Same goes for his goals-against average, currently at 2.69 compared to his career 2.33 benchmark.
The regression bodes well for potential suitors looking to take him off Tampa's hands via trade, but Bishop's diminishing numbers could shrink Yzerman's hopeful return, potentially receiving nothing if Bishop falls to the expansion draft.
One way or another, Bishop is an improvement in goal for many teams, and be it a trade before March 1, a new contract in free agency, or a call from Las Vegas, it doesn't appear the 30-year-old will be back in Tampa Bay next season.
Possible landing spots
Dallas Stars
Dallas ranks 29th in goals allowed (174), while Antti Niemi (.901) and Kari Lehtonen (.902) own fourth and fifth-worst save percentages among all goalies with at least 25 starts.
Calgary Flames
Both the struggling Brian Elliott and Chad Johnson are scheduled for unrestricted free agency, while developing defensemen Jyrki Jokipakka and Oliver Kylington could serve as serviceable trade chips as the Lightning search to aid their blue line.
Philadelphia Flyers
Netminders Steve Mason and Michal Neuvirth are pending unrestricted free agents and extra cap space could become available with defenseman Mark Streit and Andrew MacDonald coming off their books.