Kings' Ben Bishop acquisition shuffles value of four fantasy-relevant goalies
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Here are the fantasy implications of the Tampa Bay Lightning trading G Ben Bishop to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for G Peter Budaj:
We have acquired Peter Budaj, Erik Cernak, & a 2017 seventh-round pick from the @lakings in exchange for Ben Bishop. https://t.co/6aNLtQ4kBU
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 26, 2017
Getting a jump on the madness that could possibly occur on Wednesday's trade deadline, Tampa Bay opted to send impending free agent Bishop to Los Angeles on Sunday in exchange for fellow netminder Budaj.
The move crowds the crease in Los Angeles, where franchise goalie Jonathan Quick had only just made a triumphant return following a lower-body injury that had kept him out of action since the opening game of the season. Quick made 32 saves in a 4-1 home win over Anaheim on Saturday.
Bishop has had a poor season by his standards; with 16 wins thus far, 2016-17 will snap a streak of three straight campaigns with at least 35 victories. His goals against average (2.55) and save percentage (.911) are also the worst marks of his four full years in Tampa Bay.
With that said, Bishop has seemingly found his form and is joining the Kings on a roll. The 6-foot-7 netminder has allowed a mere six goals in his last five starts en route to a 5-0-0 record and one shutout. 22-year-old Russian Andrei Vasilevskiy, who has made 29 starts in his third NHL season, should assume the No. 1 role in Tampa Bay.
The Kings, still very much in the playoff mix, likely see Bishop as a high-end insurance policy for Quick. It's not an ideal situation for fantasy owners of either goaltender, but it's somewhat helped by the resolute Los Angeles defense.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Los Angeles' puck-possession approach has led to the team allowing the fifth-fewest goals (2.43) and the fewest shots (25.8) per game. Per Corsica.hockey, both the Kings' 5-on-5 Corsi For percentage and expected goals allowed per 60 minutes rank behind only Boston.
Bishop and Quick could very well alternate starts down the stretch, but both should have strong chances at wins and favorable rate stats thanks to Los Angeles' stout defense.
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Winners and losers
In theScore's Top 200 fantasy hockey rankings (which will be updated on Monday), Budaj (position 105), Bishop (152), Vasilevskiy (191) and Quick (198) all make appearances.
Quick's stock was set to rise regardless, thanks to his recent return to health, but his ceiling is now capped thanks to Bishop's arrival. Conversely, Bishop can't enjoy a sustained run of starts with Quick in the picture.
Vasilevskiy hasn't made the most of his chances this season; he's recorded a win in just one of his last 13 appearances, resulting in a tumble to the basement of the fantasy rankings. He's far from a sure thing, but it would appear that Tampa Bay is set to hand him the reins the rest of the way.
The 34-year-old Budaj, despite arguably saving the Kings' season in Quick's extended absence, looks to be the biggest loser among the four netminders. His starting role is likely gone, and though fantasy owners may wish to wait and see exactly how playing time is divided up in the Tampa Bay crease, he may be nothing more than Vasilevskiy's backup.
Of the four, he looks like he may end up on the waiver wire sooner rather than later, despite his stellar play as a King.