Reports: Tim Thomas on the trading block
Submitted by Wally Brennan on Mon, 02/08/2010 - 12:33
According to various reports, including one from Daren Millard of Central Sportsnet last night, the Boston Bruins are fielding offers for reigning Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas.
Thomas, who has a 2.52 GAA and .915 sv%, has all but lost the starting job to 22 year old Tuukka Rask, who leads the NHL in GAA and ranks third in sv%. Rask has started the last three games for the Bruins, including a 36-save shutout of the Montreal Canadiens yesterday that snapped Boston's 10-game losing streak.
“Right now, we’re at a stage where you’ve got to go with the goalie that’s playing the best. I think right now, [Rask is] playing the best," Bruins coach Claude Julien said after yesterday's game. "We know what Tim [Thomas] can do. Tim will be there at some point. There’s no doubt. But right now, I think Tuukka’s done a pretty good job.’’
Thomas, 35, has three years left on his contract that he signed at the end of last season with a cap hit of $5mil. He also has a no-trade clause through July 1, 2012, but if the Bruins inform Thomas that Rask is the goalie of the present and the future, it is certainly plausible that Thomas would waive the NTC for a chance to start (much like J.S. Giguere).
Teams likely to be interested in Thomas include Washington and Chicago, both of which are looking to make a run at the Stanley Cup but have questions in net with Jose Theodore and Cristobal Huet, respectively.
Thomas, who has a 2.52 GAA and .915 sv%, has all but lost the starting job to 22 year old Tuukka Rask, who leads the NHL in GAA and ranks third in sv%. Rask has started the last three games for the Bruins, including a 36-save shutout of the Montreal Canadiens yesterday that snapped Boston's 10-game losing streak.
“Right now, we’re at a stage where you’ve got to go with the goalie that’s playing the best. I think right now, [Rask is] playing the best," Bruins coach Claude Julien said after yesterday's game. "We know what Tim [Thomas] can do. Tim will be there at some point. There’s no doubt. But right now, I think Tuukka’s done a pretty good job.’’
Thomas, 35, has three years left on his contract that he signed at the end of last season with a cap hit of $5mil. He also has a no-trade clause through July 1, 2012, but if the Bruins inform Thomas that Rask is the goalie of the present and the future, it is certainly plausible that Thomas would waive the NTC for a chance to start (much like J.S. Giguere).
Teams likely to be interested in Thomas include Washington and Chicago, both of which are looking to make a run at the Stanley Cup but have questions in net with Jose Theodore and Cristobal Huet, respectively.
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 12:42
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 12:44
It would also make sense for whoever might acquire him to wait, lessening the daily cap hit on a $5mil contract
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 12:45
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 13:02
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 13:10
Thomas isn't close to his Vezina form right now. Late last year he really calmed down that whole flopping around the crease act and played a more sound game. This year he's reverted back to imitating Flubber, and it shows in his stats (something Thomas always keeps an eye on). With pressure from Rask, I can't see it getting any better here.
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 14:12
Thomas isn't playing as well as he could, obviously, but you have to wonder if he really was the Huet-type of goalie, gets a break at around 30, plays very well for a couple of years and then settles down... but at the same time, he is a Vezina trophy winner
and they don't hand those out to just anyone(oops).He could definitely help a team like Washington and really put them over the top though.
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 14:18
He could definitely help a team like Washington and really put them over the top though.
The Caps already have a washed-up former Vezina trophy winner
Mon, 02/08/2010 - 14:26
He could definitely help a team like Washington and really put them over the top though.
The Caps already have a washed-up former Vezina trophy winner
As bad as Thomas has been this year, he's hardly washed up.
At least not yet.