from Jared Clinton of The Hockey News,

So, with Bishop off the market, where do the Flames look next?

Jimmy Howard

The Red Wings have a bit of a cap conundrum. Though the results of the campaign wouldn’t show it, Detroit ended the season with the highest final cap hit of any team in the league, which is a pretty good indication things need to change in Hockeytown. That could mean a changing of the guard in goal, which is something that many felt the Red Wings were set to undertake last season but were unable to complete. That’s not without reason, though, because despite Petr Mrazek being the heir to the crease, moving along Howard and his cap hit was never going to be easy.

Red Wings GM Ken Holland might have an easier time with that this summer, however. Howard’s play from 2013-14 to 2015-16 was mediocre at best for a goaltender earning $5.29 million per season, but if it weren’t for injury he could have very well been the single player that gave Detroit its best shot at keeping their playoff streak alive. He turned in a solid .927 SP across 24 games, which is the best mark Howard has posted in any season he’s played at least 20 games.

Howard would have a much better defense to play behind in Calgary, and if the Flames were willing to shell out big coin for Bishop, maybe they can stomach the cap hit for the Red Wings netminder.

Steve Mason

Mason’s a tricky one because no one quite knows his situation at this point. He had an abysmal year with the Flyers this past season, but he had been rock solid in each of the past three campaigns and seems like the best bet Philadelphia has for a starter next year. The issue is, though, he doesn’t have a deal for the upcoming campaign. That could simply be because Flyers GM Ron Hextall is trying to use free agency to protect Mason in the expansion draft, but the risk there is Mason hits the open market. And if that comes to pass, the Flames should definitely take a shot....

more on Mason and other goalies mentioned...