http://youtube.com/watch?v=SgcWEntki0A?rel=0
This basically echoes what Bob said on the Team1200 pre-game show last Saturday:
"I know earlier when the Ottawa Senators were making Bishop available on the basis of good health of Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner ready to do the job, that they were looking for at least what they got if not more than what they paid to get him, which if memory serves me correctly was a second-round pick. If anything now that price tag now might be a first-round pick, and the question becomes are teams prepared to do that."
While Pierre Lebrun suggested yesterday that the Senators would be looking for a "top-six forward" in return for Bishop, and Garrioch pegged him going to Calgary in a rumoured Glencross trade. But if the organization really is being offered a first rounder, that would seem to be pretty tough to turn down…though maybe they think they can get more in the summer.
Still if they decide to deal him this would not be a bad time. As an asset Bishop's value has never been higher, he's currently sporting a .922 SV% (the 8th best mark in the league), where prior to this season in the NHL he was a career .903 SV% goaltender. Furthermore the Senators have wisely played him in enough games (partly out of necessity) to keep him a controllable RFA asset. For a cap conscious team, or one up against it heading into a declining cap environment, it's easy to see why a Ben Bishop would be attractive as opposed to a Ryan Miller or Luongo.
With few trade deadline storylines surrounding the Senators, this is one to watch during the next 15 hours…
Update 9:00 am
Asking price on Ben Bishop right now: 2nd-round pick with eithera player or a prospect
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) April 3, 2013
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Update 11:12 am
PHX one of 5 teams in on OTT G Ben Bishop. Better than 50-50 chance he's moved today.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) April 3, 2013
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For anyone who watched Saturday's HNIC broadcast, you'll remember that Elliotte Friedman revealed Phoenix's interest in Bishop.
What would I want from Phoenix?
Well, I'm greedy, so a package for a Martin Hanzal or a straight up deal for Mikkel Boedker would be intriguing.
Update 11: 20am
Andy Strickland from TrueHockey.com wrote the following in regards to Ben Bishop's trade value:
Sources close to the Senators tell me GM Bryan Murray wants a roster player, with term left on his contract, in return for the 6’7 goalie.
I’m told Ottawa won’t settle for just a draft pick as the feeling is they could fetch the same return at the draft this summer.
And those not-so-close to Murray already know that the GM has repeatedly come out and said that the team will not trade young assets for rentals.
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