As had been rumoured for a while now, Ben Bishop signed a lockout-long contract with the Binghamton Senators on Thursday afternoon. Bishop had signed a one-way NHL contract with Ottawa, but since being locked out he's found nowhere to play.

With this deal, he'll return to an AHL league he nearly dominated last season: Splitting time between the Peoria Rivermen and Binghamton Senators, Bishop finished with a 30-15 record and a .930 save percentage (good for second in the AHL) and a 2.26 goals-against average (seventh overall among AHL goaltenders).

He'll also compete directly with Robin Lehner for the starter's job in Binghamton, something both goaltenders have said they have no problem with.

Nathan Lawson, though, might have a problem with it. Signed to an AHL contract in the off-season to back-up Lehner, Lawson reportedly refused an assignment to the ECHL's Elmira Jackals in the aftermath of the Bishop signing. Until the lockout ends or one of the goalies (presumably Lawson) is traded, Bingo will carry three goaltenders through the regular season.

Editor's note: Thanks to ShawnDOtt for the cover headline inspiration.