Goaltender Ben Bishop’s NHL Career Likely Over

By Jordan Long

Goaltender Ben Bishop’s career is likely over.  He had been dealing with a degenerative condition in his right knee.  The Stars were hoping he could play at some point this year, sending him to AHL (American Hockey League) for a conditioning assignment.  It didn’t go well, allowing 8 goals on 34 shots in his only game.  Now Bishop is on long-term injured reserve.

                Bishop started his NHL career with the St. Louis Blues.  He was there from 2008 to 2011.  Bishop was not their top goaltender only playing in 13 games.  His record with the Blues was 4-5-1 with a goals against average of 2.83 and a save percentage of .896.

                Bishop would change teams on February 26, 2012.  The Ottawa Senators acquired him from the St. Louis Blues.   He received more playing time but Bishop was still not a full time starter in the league.  With Ottawa, he started 21 games.  His record was 11-8-2 with a goals against average of 2.47 and a save percentage of .917.

                Bishop changed cities once again on April 3rd, 2013.  He was dealt to the Tampa Bay Lightning.  This was the best move for him.  Bishop became their number 1 goaltender in the 2013 to 2014 season.  He stayed there until the NHL Trade Deadline on February 26, 2017.  His game became better.  In 2014, Bishop’s record was 37-14-7 with a  goals against average of 2.23 and a save percentage of .924.

                In 2015 his numbers were even better.  He won a career high 40 games.  His record was 40-13-5 with a goals against average of 2.32 and a save percentage of .916.  That season, Tampa Bay managed to advance to the Stanley Cup Final but fell to the Chicago Blackhawks in 6 games.  Bishop was outstanding in that playoff run even though it fell short of a championship.  He was 13-11 with a goals against average of 2.18 and a save percentage of .921. Bishop stayed in Tampa Bay until February 26, 2017.

                Bishop was again traded, this time to the L.A. Kings.  He didn’t last there suiting up in 7 games.  His record with the Kings was 2-3-2.  At the end of the 2017 season, Bishop was a free agent and decided to sign with the Dallas Stars, agreeing to a  six-year, $29.5 million contract. 

                In 2018 Bishop ended with a record of 26-17-5 with a goals against average of 2.49 and a save percentage of .916. Dallas failed to earn a playoff spot.  In 2019, Bishop went 27-15-2 with a goals against average of 1.98 and a save percentage of .934.  The Stars made the playoffs but were beaten in the 2nd round by the St. Louis Blues.

                In the 2020 season, his last year healthy,  Bishop’s record was 21-6-4 with a  goals against average of 2.50 and a save percentage of .920.  Of course, the NHL ended the season and the playoffs in the COVID bubble.  The Stars advanced to the Stanley Cup Final but lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 6 games.  Unfortunately, Bishop played in 3 playoff games with a record of 1-2 with a goals against average of 5.43 and a save percentage of .844.  His last game for the Stars was game 5 of the 2nd round against the Colorado Avalanche.  It didn’t go so well.  Bishop gave up 4 goals and the Stars fell to the Avalanche on that day 6-3.

                Bishop missed all of last year after having surgery for a torn meniscus.  The Stars were anticipating him back but after his start in the AHL, it looks like his career is over.  According to usatoday.com, Stars’ General Manager Jim Nill said, “By going down there, he gave everything he could and it was the best-case scenario for him. That’s why he wanted to try it then. In the end, he found out he can’t do it.”

                If this is the end for Bishop, he leaves the game with a career record of 222-128-36 with a goals against average of 2.32 and a save percentage of .921 in the regular season.  In the postseason Bishop’s record was 29-21 with a goals against average of 2.27 and a save percentage of .924.  He didn’t win a Stanley Cup but was still one of the best goaltenders during the time he played.  Bishop went to one All-Star game.

                Bishop should hang up his skates.  His health is telling him he can’t play the NHL at a high level anymore.  He has not officially retired, but the comeback looks like his career is finished.  Hopefully, he will stay in the NHL as a goaltender coach or in the front office for an NHL team.  Players could learn from him.  Time will only tell what Bishop will do.