Tampa Bay Lightning: 5 Reasons The Bolts Should Trade Ben Bishop

With the NHL Trade Deadline quickly approaching, the Tampa Bay Lightning will need to make a decision on what to do with goaltender Ben Bishop, and soon.

Sooner rather than later, the Tampa Bay Lightning will need to make a decision on what they plan to do with Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop. Otherwise, the Lightning will run the risk of losing a top-tier netminder with absolutely nothing in return.

At the end of this season, Bishop’s contract will expire and he will become an Unrestricted Free Agent.  This means that any team can court the goaltender and offer him whatever they want.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Should the Lightning decide to wait and try to resign him, it’s entirely possible that Bishop could accept an offer from another and the Lightning would be forced to watch him walk away and get nothing for his loss.

The NHL’s Trade deadline is a little more than a month and a half away.  All trades have to be worked out before 3:00 PM on February the 28th.

Historically, the day of the deadline itself is full of bold and sometimes surprising moves by teams looking to make a last chance run for the playoffs.

While there might be a big move involving Bishop, it’ll be far from surprising.  While it is still unknown which team Bishop will be traded to and whom for, it’s entirely reasonable to expect a deal before or on the 28th.

Whether the Lightning should trade or resign Bishop is a hotly contested subject.  However, when it’s broken down, the only option that makes sense logistically is to trade him.

As much as Lightning fans may hate to see Big Ben go, there are numerous reasons why trading Bishop is the best option for the Lightning right now.