Vasilevskiy assuming role he was always meant to play

by Erik Erlendsson | @Erik_Erlendsson | Like us on Facebook
March 7, 2017

TAMPA, Fla. – Since Andrei Vasilevkiy heard his name called at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, made his way to the draft stage and put his arms around Lightning personnel, he seemed destined for the job he now holds.

When Tampa Bay’s season turned south at the end of the 2011-12 season and general manager Steve Yzerman started turning veteran players in to future assets, he had one specific goal in mind – land an additional first-round draft pick with the idea of finding a goaltender.

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That was accomplished when Yzerman shipped Steve Downie to the Colorado Avalanche in return for defenseman Kyle Quincey. Then, as Yzerman has done a few times during his tenure with Tampa Bay, he immediately flipped Quincey to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for a first-round pick.

The pick turned out to be the 19th overall in the 2012 draft. So when Tampa Bay returned to the draft stage at CONSOL Energy Center, a short time after Slater Koekkoek was taken 10th overall, Yzerman and his scouting staff found their future netminder in Vasilevskiy, the highest-ranked goaltender in the draft class.

Now, with Ben Bishop traded to Los Angeles, the No. 1 job is his.

It’s a job he’s prepared for, worked for, longed for.

It’s a role the team has nurtured him for, tested him for and primed him for.

After being essentially an apprentice for two years, now the job is his.

”I’ve always watched Bish a lot, how he prepares before games, after games, how he recovered after games, all the stuff,’’ Vasilevskiy said. “Plus, when he was hurt, I played a lot of games in a row, and though it didn’t feel good at the time, we played bad then, so that’s why I’m stronger mentally now, even stronger than before because I played 10 games in a row, and win just one or two games.

“So I think all those things, plus watching Bish, getting some tough experience on the ice, it all prepared me for a big run.’’

Perhaps the biggest factor in all of this was the time Vasilevskiy spent as a protégé to Bishop, a two-time Vezina Finalist. It’s a relationship that started in earnest midway through the 2014-15 season when Vasilevskiy was promoted to the backup role after Evgeni Nabokov retired.

Bishop handled the dual role of starter and mentor with the type of class he was shown when he was getting his first opportunities in the league.

”When you are a young guy like that, you look up to the guys that you play with so I just tried to be a good role model for him and teach him,’’ Bishop said.

Vasilevskiy soaked it all in and forged a tight bond with Bishop.

”He’s like my older American brother,’’ Vasilevskiy said. “He’s really nice to me, he was actually preparing me for the past two years. I took many things from him and he was preparing me. I just took all of those things and put them in my arsenal. He is one of the best goalies in the NHL and watching guys like Bish you understand how you should play if you want to be a No. 1 goalie.’’

Now that Vasilevskiy is the No. 1 for the Lightning, he’s starting to play like one.

While he was riding a five-game winless streak prior to the Bishop trade, in the four starts since, Vasilevskiy has gone 3-0-1 and allowed more than one goal in just one game. In those four games, Vasilevskiy has a 1.45 goals against average and .956 save percentage.

He just looks more confident and comfortable in the crease.

”I do (agree),’’ Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said. “I don’t think it’s been any difference, his work ethic hasn’t changed, his approach hasn’t changed, all these things are still there. We are defending better in front of him, and when we are not there, he’s bailed us out and that’s what you need. You need your guy to give you a chance to win every night and that’s what he has done.’’

From outside the organization there may have been some questions as to whether or not the Lightning made the right decision in dealing Bishop, who was the backbone of the team’s success during his time in Tampa Bay. But with the skill level Vasilevskiy has already shown in his first two-plus years, combined with the experience he’s already received – he has won a Stanley Cup Final game, started a game in the Stanley Cup Final and assumed the top role for Games 2-7 of the Eastern Conference finals last season – suggested the decision was always going to be Vasilevskiy.

And if there were any doubts – and it’s only been four games since the deal – Vasilevskiy is already showing he has the makeup for a No. 1 goaltender at the age of 22.

”You can see he has taken his game to a whole new level,’’ Lightning defenseman Anton Stralman said. “I don’t think anybody doubted him, not in here anyways, he’s a tremendous talent and I’m sure he’s just going to keep getting better and better.’’

It can only mean better days ahead for the Lightning as he starts to immerse himself in his new role, a role he was always destined to assume with Tampa Bay.

”Vasy coming in, being the number one and playing like he has is a big confidence boost for everyone,’’ defenseman Victor Hedman said. “I’m looking forward to seeing his development.’’

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