Music: {allcanada} SENATORS TRADE G BISHOP TO LIGHTNING FOR F CONACHER

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

{allcanada} SENATORS TRADE G BISHOP TO LIGHTNING FOR F CONACHER

The Ottawa Senators have dealt goaltender Ben Bishop to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Cory Conacher and a fourth-round draft pick.

Bishop has appeared in 13 games with the Senators this season, posting an 8-5 record, a .922 save percentage and a 2.45 goals-against average.

The Senators acquired Bishop prior to the 2012 trade deadline after the Blues were forced into making a decision to clear the team's crowded crease.

Conacher, 23, has scored nine goals and 15 assists in 35 games with the Lightning this season. The five-foot-eight forward was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Lightning in March, 2012.

The Burlington, Ontario-native currently ranks second in NHL rookie scoring behind only Florida Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau. Conacher becomes the Senators' leading scorer upon acquisition.

With Brian Elliott and Jaroslav Halak still under contract, the 6'7" Bishop was in danger of becoming a Group 6 unrestricted free agent this past off-season. The Senators acquired him in exchange for a 2013 second-round draft pick.

However, Craig Anderson's three remaining years under contract and the strong play of 21-year-old Robin Lehner have left Bishop's future in Ottawa's crease uncertain.

He is slated to become a restricted free agent at the end of this season, having signed a one-year deal worth $650,000 for this season.

Bishop was originally drafted in the third round (85th overall) by the Blues at the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He has appeared in 36 career NHL games between the Senators and Blues posting a 15-13-3 record with a career 2.58 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage.