Blues Trade Ben Bishop To Senators For Second-Round Draft Pick

The Ottawa Senators have picked up a goaltender just prior to 2012 NHL Trade Deadline day, acquiring prospect Ben Bishop from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2013 draft. The deal was first reported by the Ottawa Sun.

Bishop's contract expires at the end of the current season, but according to TSN, the Sens signed Bishop to a one-year extension immediately following the deal, eliminating the potential that this could have been a rental. The surprisingly strong play of Brian Elliott in St. Louis made Bishop expendable, and after expecting to compete for the backup job behind Jaroslav Halak, Bishop was stuck with the Peoria Rivermen of the AHL for most of the season.

With everyday starter Craig Anderson out of the Ottawa lineup for the time being, Senators blog Silver Seven believes the acquisition of Bishop will make things interesting in the crease.

The biggest question mark surrounding this deal is after Alex Auld's name. Auld hasn't been reliable this season, as evidenced by [Saturday] night's game, and with Craig Anderson injured the Senators can't afford to wait for Auld to get into a groove. Bishop will push Auld, and might even push him to the curb, or the waiver market, or -- even worse -- the Toronto Maple Leafs.

One thing Bishop's presence brings to the team: Competition in the crease, and that should be a good thing until Anderson comes back and takes the reins again.

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