NHL Trade: Tampa Bay Lightning Trade Ben Bishop To The LA Kings
Tampa Bay Lightning trade Ben Bishop to the Los Angeles Kings

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