On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet 960 talking about the Tampa Bay Lightning, and if their trade of Nikita Nesterov to the Montreal Canadiens will spark more moves from them.
“This could be the tip of the iceberg. There’s no question about that, ” indicated NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman during a Friday morning appearance on Calgary’s Sportsnet 960. “Nesterov… he wanted out. He wasn’t getting a chance to play there. There were times they were dressing him and he was a forward. He wanted a new opportunity.”
Friedman adds that Ben Bishop’s name could start coming up more. The Lightning likely know they aren’t going to re-sign him and it’s time to give him a fresh start with the way this season has gone for him.
‘So I wouldn’t be surprised at all if we start hearing Bishop’s name and he might be moved soon.”
So where could Bishop end up? The Flames spoke with Bishop’s camp about what an extension could look like in the offseason.
“I think a team like Dallas could do it. I think a team like St. Louis might do it. Who’s looking for goalies out there? I wonder about Anaheim. I’m curious to see if Bob Murray is really comfortable going into the playoffs with John Gibson and Jonathan Bernier.
“Those are the kinds of teams out there I’d be looking at. We all know the teams out there that need goalies. I don’t think Philadelphia – they’re capped out. I’m not sure – Steve Mason won a big game for them the other night. I’m not sure how they feel, if they would go out and do a short-term move. But we all know the teams who are out there and need goalies.”
The Lightning may have been thinking about Coyotes defenseman Michael Stone, but Yzerman may not be interested now in giving up assets for a rental.
Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times: Jones doesn’t think the Lightning should panic or make be sweeping changes. To not fire anyone and don’t blow it up.
It may not be easy, but they need to sit back and just let the season play out.
Don’t force any trades that can hurt the organization long-term. Don’t overpay with draft picks or prospects for last ditch attempt to make the playoffs
