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Report: Lightning’s ’12 first-rounder Vasilevski to leave KHL

Sweden Juniors Ice Hockey

Andrei Vasilevski

AP

It looks like the Tampa Bay Lightning’s organization might feature one of the top goaltending prospects next season. Andrei Vasilevski, 19, has decided to leave the KHL’s Ufa Salavat Yulayev, freeing him up to make his North American debut next season, according to Sports.ru’s Igor Eronko.

Vasilevski had a 2.24 GAA and .928 save percentage in 14 KHL contests last season. He also led Russia to a bronze medal in the 2014 World Junior Championship by posting a 1.83 GAA and .933 save percentage in six games.

He was taken with the 19th overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Ben Bishop is obviously a lock for the starting job in Tampa Bay after his breakout campaign that earned him a Vezina Trophy nomination, but the Lightning might part ways with Anders Lindback following his disappointing campaign.

If that happens, then Vasilevski might challenge 21-year-old Kristers Gudlevskis for the backup job with the loser of that training camp battle serving as the number one goalie in the minors.

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