The saying goes that Vasy Cometh and as the following verse says, Vasy is done this afternoon. I don’t mean that as in an end-point as-so-much a not-in-need situation regarding his contract status. Andrei Vasilevskiy signed a 3 year contract extension on Friday to compliment the extension inked by defenseman Victor Hedman (and compliment the deal done on Wednesday for Steven Stamkos). The Russian netminder, whose numbers in the 2016 NHL Eastern Conference Finals (a .925 save percentage and a 2.76 GAA) against the Pittsburgh Penguins exceeded his numbers from the 2015-16 regular season (a .910 save percentage and a mirror 2.76 GAA), kept the Bolts hopes alive. He helped keep the team competitive in the series so much while the crew in front of him struggled to one degree or another: ailing layers and a missing team captain were aspects of the Lightning in the Finals and helped the club come up short in the end.
Vasy, a 2012 1st round draft pick at #19 overall, and his playoff performance are likely why it seems that goalie Ben Bishop’s days in Tampa Bay are numbered. Bishop, who turns 30 on November 21st, is on the last year of his contract with the Lightning. The 6’7″netminder has taken over many top spots for the Lightning in team history with stats in-the-crease. Rumors have swelled in the last few days of Bishop being available, specifically with chatter during the NHL Draft of the Calgary Flames requesting permission to talk to Big Ben. Bishop reportedly wanted a 7 year contract extension with an average salary of $7 million a year.
Bishop’s departure for the Tampa Bay Lightning seems like a given now, though when or where isn’t a clear situation. The re-signing of Vasilevskiy seems well timed… Yet it draws a question mark with what is due to play out with the crease in the time ahead.
