So as mentioned in the Darling thread, I wouldn't expect anything less than 6 x 6 for Bishop. Question is, is there more than one team willing to give him that? ..and if so, which one would he pick?
Calgary - Have the cap space, no NHL goalie currently signed, and although we have decent prospects, there is 1 and 1/3 total NHL game experience among the entire group put together. An upstart team with a young core and a bright future. Also a good hockey market, but that can be a good or bad thing, depending on the player.
Vegas - Have the cap space and no NHL goalie currently signed. They have no goalie prospects pushing either. They should have a few solid options for goaltending via the expansion draft, but IMO none of them are as appealing as Ben Bishop, who could come in and stabilize the position right from the word go. They also have an exclusive negotiating window to sell Bishop on their plan, but if he wants to be on a winner right away, it will have to be one heck of a sell job.
Winnipeg - They have the cap space, but they are cheap. They Hhve Hutchison signed next season, but he's hardly an obstacle. Could be easily moved or buried in the minors with little consequence. They do however have their heir apparent in Hellebuyck already playing NHL games, so Bishop may feel like he'd be walking straight into a Vasilevsky situation again. They have a lot of good young players and potential for a strong future, but it is Winnipeg so it's hard to imagine Bishop biting, even if they offered him 6 x 6.
Philadelphia - They also have the cap space, and they aren't cheap. I could easily see them offering up the goods for Bishop. Stolarz is in the system, but hasn't proven much yet, and Neuvirth is signed, but only to high end back up money, and at this point all he is is a decent back up. Big american market, with lots of good players, a solid prospect pool and a seemingly bright future. If they offer Bishop the money he wants, I could easily see him heading to Philly.
NY Islanders - They already have a lot almost $8 million committed to Greiss and Halak next season, and seem high on Greiss, although I'm not sure why. Weird organization that always seems to take steps backwards shortly after making gains. They have a history of being cheap, and with money committed already to goalies I can't see them going for it, and even if they did I doubt Bishop would bite. Not a well run or consistent organization.
Vancouver - I could see them making an offer. I know they want to see what Markstrom is all about, and they are really high on Demko but they have lots of cap space, and you'd think Markstrom could be moved if they had to. Just entering a rebuild though, so I'm not sure it would be all that appealing to Bishop.
Dallas - $10.4 million committed to Niemi and Lehtonen but for just one year. Many think this team is poised to take a run at Bishop, and I have to agree. Probably have to buy one goalie out, and then suck it up for a season with a massive hit on goalies but they have the cap room for it. American market, and some nice pieces they might be able to sell Bishop on going there.
Buffalo - Lots of cap space and lots of money. they have a good young goalie in Lehner, but he's signed for cheap and could easily be traded. He's also the guy the last regime brought in, so the new guy might want to go another direction. Young team, lots of potential for a bright future and another American market which may be appealing to Bishop.
I'd say the biggest threats are Buffalo, Philly and Dallas, with an outside shot at Vegas wooing him.
But yeah, I don't see anything less than 6 years at $6 million per. Maybe closer to the $40 million total that cousin guaar was yapping about.
$40m / 6 = $6,666,666
$40m / 7 = $5,714,286
Guess will see.
Brad will probably surprise all of us by trading for Matt Murray or something.
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