Analyzing Previous Goalie Trades That Haven’t Worked Out
May 18, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie
Ben Bishop(30) makes a save against the New York Rangers during the second period in game two of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
With Andrew Hammond signed to a shiny new three-year contract, one of Craig Anderson or Robin Lehner will be on the move, and Bryan Murray has stated so already. Now for the next little while, all eyes will be on Ottawa to see which goalie they trade. Personally I would trade Anderson because he would net a larger return and he will be on the down swing of his career, while Lehner is still young.
Nevertheless, no matter which goalie is traded the Senators aren’t guaranteed to get a solid return. They are looking for a solid piece like a top six forward or top four defenseman, but I’m not sure they will get that. Looking back at previous goalie trades, it’s hard to get too excited. Goalies are the hardest players to analyze, which is why teams don’t know what to give up or receive for one.
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When the inevitable Anderson or Lehner trade comes, I’m not so sure the Senators will be too pleased with the return. There has been the odd trade where the team giving up the goalie gets a good package, but I’d say that’s a rarity. Let’s look at some previous trades that haven’t exactly worked out for the team trading a goalie:
Ottawa trades Ben Bishop to Tampa Bay for Cory Conacher and a 4th round pick (Tobias Lindberg)
You knew I had to put this one in here, right? It’s too easy, and of course all Senators fans are a bit sour about this trade. The only saving grace is that Lindberg is looking like a real good prospect, so he may save the deal a bit. However, if Bishop wins a Cup in Tampa Bay it won’t look to good for the Senators management. Hindsight is 20/20 of course, and I would have traded Bishop at the time as well.
It’s easy to critique now, but the Lightning definitely got a lot of value in this deal.