Vasilevski signs his 3yr ELC with TB

[Axeman33]

http://tbo.com/sports/lightning/ligh...ract-20140506/

TAMPA — The Tampa Bay Lightning signed goaltender Andrei Vasilevskii to a three-year entry level contract on Tuesday, the team announced.

Vasilevskii, the 19th overall pick in the 2012 draft, spent the past two years with Salavat in the Kontinental Hockey League, where he helped the team to the KHL semifinal round this season.

Vasilevskii, 20, is currently playing for Russia at the World Championships in Belarus.

Vasilevskii is regarded by some, such as The Hockey News experts, as one of the top two goaltenders in the world not currently in the NHL. He is expected to arrive for Tampa Bay training camp in September and compete for a roster spot behind Vezina Trophy finalist Ben Bishop, though a start with Syracuse in the American Hockey League would be the likely scenario. That would allow Vasilevskii to get accustomed to North American rinks and the style of play.

[Rylant]

This is great news. We all know he is a few years from becoming fantasy relevant, in all probability, but this is a huge next step.

Rylant

[Axeman33]

Its certainly a good sign for him coming over to North America next season.

[havanablast21]

Bye bye Lindback? What a disappointment he's been since leaving Nash.

[Axeman33]

Bye bye Lindback? What a disappointment he's been since leaving Nash.

I will be surprised if he starts out in the NHL, even as a backup. I can see him playing a season if not two in the AHL to get accustomed to the North America rink/game.

[havanablast21]

I will be surprised if he starts out in the NHL, even as a backup. I can see him playing a season if not two in the AHL to get accustomed to the North America rink/game.

Agreed. But will Tampa start the season with that kid as the #2 behind a seemingly fragile Bishop? If I was Stevie Y... And I'm not...I'd be looking for a vet...back up to help carry the load until you know your #1 can percevere injury free. lindback, as I said, has been a huge disappointment IMO. But definitely a mulligan for Stevie!

[sammynos]

Bye bye Lindback? What a disappointment he's been since leaving Nash.

I was really surprised at how poorly he played once he had a shot to be a #1. I guess some guys are meant to be backups and crumble once they are given the reigns.

[lucifer316]

Bye bye Lindback? What a disappointment he's been since leaving Nash.

people have a very difficult time removing team effects from a goalie's performance

we have seen this with any goalie coming out of or going into Phoenix for years it shouldn't really be surprising that the same thing was going on in Nashville

[havanablast21]

people have a very difficult time removing team effects from a goalie's performance

we have seen this with any goalie coming out of or going into Phoenix for years it shouldn't really be surprising that the same thing was going on in Nashville

Point well received...BUT...someone forgot to tell Vokoun that he was supposed falter in his play upon departing Nashville for the far more scrutinized Panthers. He managed to post some fairly respectable numbers there. And then turned more heads in Washington and down the stretch last season in Pittsburgh.

I suppose, however, in the end...if youre point is that Lindback...having had decent year as a back up on Nashville was GROSSLY OVER-Rated when acquired by Stevie Y...?... Then I must agree. I wonder how amazing Bishop would be in Nashville's system?