BOSTON -- Tim Thomas will not report to Boston Bruins camp this week, will be suspended by the Bs organization in the coming days, and wont suit up for the Black and Gold during this abbreviated 2013 48-game NHL season.
But the eccentric 38-year-old goaltender has indicated to the Bruins, through agent Bill Zito, that he want to play in the NHL next season and has already expressed interest in representing Team USA at the 2014 Olympics in Russia.
Hes told us that hes not going to be here, but that he wants to play next year, said general manager Peter Chiarelli. So well end up suspending him and well be doing it in a non-adversarial way. So hell be on our cap unless we trade him. With the floor as it is at 44 million theres probably not an opportunity to trade him to a team that needs to get to the floor. So were at a standstill right now.
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Chiarelli indicated that the Bruins can toll the contract of Thomas if he is suspended for the entire 2013 NHL season, and basically the Bs goaltender will owe the Bruins organization another contracted year of service under the terms that he would have played for the 2012-13 season.
A source indicated to CSNNE.com that Thomas doesnt want to play for any team other than the Bruins if he does return to the NHL. But the two-time Vezina Trophy winning goalie no longer holds any no-trade provisions preventing him from being dealt elsewhere if Chiarelli does opt to toll his contract for next year.
So more drama potentially sits around the corner for Thomas and the Bruins, but this season will be all about a goaltending partnership between Tuukka Rask and Anton Khudobin. Both young goaltenders will be given a chance to prove they can step up and be the franchise goaltender in Boston while Thomas continues to focus on friends, faith and family.