Dallas Stars Sending Goaltender To AHL

Ben Bishop is another step closer to returning to action. The Stars are sending the 35-year-old goaltender to the AHL, as he will be playing for the Texas Stars on a conditioning assignment.

The Stars plan on sending goaltender Ben Bishop on a conditioning assignment to AHL affiliate Texas this week, according to a source.

— Matthew DeFranks (@MDeFranks) December 6, 2021

Bishop missed the entirety of the 2020-21 season due to a knee injury that required surgery. Before the long-term injury, he was their starting goaltender and was still fantastic. In 44 games during the 2019-20 campaign, he had a 21-16-4 record, 2.50 GAA and .920 SV%. With this, there's no question that Dallas wants him back in goal to see if he can replicate those totals.

To get Bishop back on the NHL roster, however, the Stars will need to move some salary. The Stars have three other NHL-caliber goalies as well, so one has to assume they will trade at least one of them away. Anton Khudobin's name has been in the rumor a lot because of this. Braden Holtby also could make sense to move, as he's on a one-year deal and could net a decent return, too.

At the end of the day, though, it is just great to hear that Bishop will once again be playing at any level. Here's to hoping he stays healthy on his AHL stint and is able to return to Dallas soon.

Photo Credit: © Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports