Cory Conacher Traded for Ben Bishop

 

Fantasy Impact: The Ottawa Senators have traded goaltender Ben Bishop to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Cory Conacher and a fourth-round pick, per TSN.

 

 

The Senators get: Another top NHL rookie to add to their already impressive stable. Conacher is an over-acheiver who will almost certainly be successful in the long term. He had 12 points in his first seven games – but then 12 in the last 28. He has very good upside and should be a top sixer.

 

 

The Lightning get: A quality goaltender with a lot of upside. Bishop will compete with fellow tall netminder Anders Lindback for the No.1 job in the future. Given Lindback’s tendency to injury, I would prefer to own Bishop in a keeper league – and given Lindback’s current ankle injury, give me Bishop in one-year leagues as well.

 

 

Fantasy Players Impacted: Conacher being moved out of Tampa clears up some of the logjam of impressive kids on the way – Tyler Johnson, Alex Killorn, Ondrej Palat, Richard Panik, JT Brown, Brett Connolly, etc. GM Steve Yzerman could afford to overpay for this young goalie. GM Bryan Murray did well to take advantage of that.

 

Conacher will be in the top six immediately and should make an impact early and often, as is frequently the case when a player is traded. He will finish off the season strong, which will be enough to ensure his presence in the top six next season.

 

Moving Bishop makes the statement that Craig Anderson is extremely close to returning to action. And it also hands Robin Lehner the backup reins. Lehner could take over as the starter within two seasons.

 

 

Fantasy Players this helps, in order:

1. Bishop

2. Conacher

3. Killorn

4. Johnson

5. Lehner

6. Benoit Pouliot

7. Palat

8. Panik

 

 

Fantasy Players this hurts, in order:

1. Lindback

2. Colin Greening

3. Guillaume Latendresse