The Lightning traded goalie Ben Bishop to the Kings on Sunday for a package that includes goalie Peter Budaj.
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Bishop, the best goalie in franchise history, was scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, making him a hot target before Wednesday’s deadline. In return, Tampa Bay also received defense prospect Erik Cernak, a seventh-round draft pick this season and a conditional pick this year.
Los Angeles also gets from the Lightning a fifth-round pick this year.
With Bishop gone, the Lightning officially moves on to the Andrei Vasilevskiy era, the touted Russian taking over as the No. 1.
Bishop has been playing his best hockey of the season, winning his past five starts.
Bishop missed Sunday’s practice, fueling speculation he was on the move. General manager Steve Yzerman explained the absence by saying the goalie was feeling ill.
This trade also clears up more short-term salary cap space for the Lightning, which could also consider dealing pending unrestricted free agent Brian Boyle, among others.
Los Angeles also gets from the Lightning a fifth-round pick this year.
The stats
Budaj, 6 feet 1 and 196 pounds, played in 53 games with the Kings this season, taking over the No. 1 job after Jonathan Quick suffered a groin injury in the season opener. Quick returned Saturday night for his first game since the opener. Budaj was 27-20-3 with a 2.12 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage with seven shutouts. Budaj, 34, has appeared in 350 NHL games with Los Angeles, the Canadiens and the Avalanche, with a 152-127-39 record with 18 shutouts.
Cernak, 6-3 and 221 pounds, has played in 41 games with the junior Ontario League’s Erie Otters this season, with three goals and 17 points, and is plus-27. Cernak, 19, has played in 82 career OHL games with Erie, recording seven goals and 32 points, and is plus-34 rating.
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