Bruins trade Tim Thomas to Islanders
Tim Thomas can be considered one of the greatest goaltenders in franchise history for the Boston Bruins.
Even though he was a bit of trouble during his nine seasons in the organization, there’s no denying his contributions and performances that ultimately helped the Bruins win the Stanley Cup in 2011.
When Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli announced Thursday that Thomas had been traded to the New York Islanders, the goaltender’s elite career in Boston officially ended.
According to the team, the Bruins will receive a conditional second-round draft pick in 2014 or 2015. Thomas told the Bruins last summer that he did not intend to play this season, and it’s not known if he has changed his mind.
Thomas told Chiarelli last summer, upon making his decision that he hoped to return to hockey after this season, possibly playing again for Team USA in the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
Thomas, who carries a $5 million salary cap hit, would have been paid a pro-rated $3 million if he had played this season. However, his pro-rated $5 million cap hit has counted against the Bruins’ salary cap this season. His trade to the Islanders now would remove that number from the Boston payroll.
Assuming he does not play, Thomas will remain suspended, and the Islanders will not have to pay him any actual salary. Because he has a 35-plus contract, his salary-cap charge counts regardless of whether he plays.
Thomas, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner as the NHL’s top goalie, has played in 378 regular-season games , all with the Bruins. He is 196-121-45 with a 2.48 goals-against average and 31 shutouts, and ranks fourth on Boston’s career wins list and third in shutouts.
Thursday’s trade did not change the way Thomas feels about his future playing career, and when Chiarelli informed his former No. 1 goalie of the transaction, he understood.
