The Tampa Bay Lightning have traded goaltender Ben Bishop and 5th round pick to the LA Kings for goaltender Peter Budaj, Erik Cernak and 2017 7th round pick and a 2017 conditional pick.
Pierre LeBrun: The Lighting retain 20 percent of Bishop’s salary
The 30-year old Bishop was drafted 85th overall in the 3rd round of the 2005 draft by the Blues. He carries a $5.95 million cap hit.
The 19-year old Cernak was drafted 43rd overall in the 2nd round of the 2015 draft by the Kings.
The 34-year old Budaj was drafted 63rd overall in the 2nd round of the 2001 draft by the Avalanche. He carries a $600,000 cap hit.
Some thoughts from the media …
Steve Whyno: “Lombardi wanted 2nd goalie: “I think the days of playing Jon Quick 70 games like we did 2 years ago make no sense.”
Joe Smith: “Kings were not on Bishop’s no-trade list, so #tblightning didn’t need his approval”
Renaud Lavoie: “Ben Bishop trade will help Bolts absorbed Drouin, Vasilevkiy and Point bonuses this season instead of counting on their cap for next season.”
Joe Smith: “Budaj is in final year of his deal too, an experienced backup for Vasilevskiy, whose era as No. 1 appears to be starting”
Craig Custance: “Lightning don’t need Budaj for expansion exposure purposes, they’ve got Gudlevskis. But will look hard at bringing him back as backup.”
Nicholas Goss: “Not sure why either team made this trade. Bad return for TB and LA needs scoring.”
Bryan Burns: “Bolts get solid D prospect in Cernak, who was Kings 2nd rd (43rd overall) pick in 2015, and veteran goaltender in Budaj to back up Vasy.”
Jason Brough: “The way Quick plays so acrobatically, maybe there isn’t confidence his groin will hold up. Otherwise, I’m stumped.”
David Pagnotta: “Kings clearly wanted experienced ‘backup’ for playoff run. They’re also in talks for a winger. Not sure Bishop will be their only move.”
Gino Reda: ” Good depth just in case Quick needs time to ease back into full time role. Bishop at UFA at the end of the season”
Elliotte Teaford: “So, a team that has trouble scoring goals trades for a goalie after getting its top goalie back from injury. What am I missing?”
David Pagnotta: “Budaj helped save LA’s season, he deserves a ton of credit. But with Quick back, and Bishop in place, how can you not pass that up.”
Pierre LeBrun: “Despite Quick’s return, Kings wanted more instance given Quick’s long layoff and busy March sked”
Ben Bishop
Erik Cernak
Peter Budaj