For Ben Bishop, the future doesn't have to unfold in secret.
In a sport where information is policed, and the truth often denied, the Tampa Bay Lightning netminder, entering a contract year at the height of his career this season with his future with the organization cast in doubt, instead offers marked transparency.
As someone obviously understanding of the Lightning's financial situation and the capabilities of his backup Andrei Vasilevskiy, Bishop spoke about the openness to which he's willing to discuss the brief negotiations that the Lightning and his representatives held with the Calgary Flames prior to the NHL draft.
"I don't think it's a big deal one way or the other. I think everybody realizes there's a business side to it. That happened, and it's over with and done with," Bishop told theScore in Toronto at the World Cup.
"I don't think there was any reason to hide it or deny it. I think we're all old, and mature, and can handle it. It wasn't like we got right to the end there and it didn't work out. We never got that close."
Until Bishop's traded, re-signed, or reaches unrestricted free agency, his status will exist as a fascinating subplot for the Lightning season, not unlike the Steven Stamkos saga of one year ago. Because this is a goaltender talented enough to make every NHL team better, and one that will unquestionably be on the radar for Las Vegas.
That said, his focus is on Tampa Bay, and an organization he would prefer to stick with for the remainder of his career.
"That's what my goal is," Bishop said. "I'm not really thinking about what might happen, I'm just worried about Game No. 1. The rest will take care of itself."
The two-time Vezina Trophy finalist, who has racked up more or as many wins as any other netminder in his three seasons with the Lightning, will back up Jonathan Quick on Saturday as Team USA opens its World Cup bid versus Team Europe.
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