A lot to catch up on... but I'll take it slow, don't want to overload one post.
First and foremost the single biggest bit of news this offseason is Tim Thomas deciding to take a year sabatical from hockey for "Family, Friends, and Faith". Now, I've been asked many times what I think (probably because I didn't blog about it...my b).
Only time will tell if his leave of absense is actually because of family, friends, and faith. If it is, which is obviously possible, then the human in me is okay with it. If he's unhappy with Boston or unhappy with his contract, then that'll be a whole different rant for a different post. Let's remember Thomas hasn't had the easiest career path. Let's recap:
University of Vermont
Birmingham Bulls (ECHL) 1997-1998
Houston Aeros (IHL) 1997-1998
Finland 1997-1998
Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL) 1998-1999
Finland 1999-2000
Detroit Vipers (IHL) 1999-2000
Sweden 2000-2002
Providence Bruins 2002-2004
Sweden 2004-2005 (lockout)
Boston Bruins 2005-present
That's a hell of a lot of moving around in a 4-5 year span. Now I'm not naive, I'm sure MANY MANY aspiring athletes in all sports go through similar moves to try and make it to the bigs, but that still doesn't make it easier on his family and friends.
But that's the human in me. The insane diehard B's fan in me is fairly pissed. His cap hit is $5mil. That's a large cap hit for someone that is playing let alone someone that's not. If suspending a player eliminated their cap hit, and if the B's put Marc Savard on long term injury reserve, which would eliminate his cap hit, that's $9mil of available cap room. Let me repeat...
$9 MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF CAP ROOM
That would allow the Bruins to be contenders for Parise or Suter. *droooooool*
Is there a potential for cap relief? Yes. Currently there is a floor, which is the opposite of a cap. Teams have to spend a certain amount of money on their payroll each year. I'm assuming the new CBA is going to have this as well. If there is a team that is under the floor, what better way to get there without actually paying any money than by trading for Thomas (who's no trade clause expires July 1st...even though reports are he waived had it already). The team receives the $5mil cap hit, but the owner doesn't pay an additional dime. Two teams that are linked to this is the Colorado Avalanche and the Quebec Nor... I mean New York Islanders.
To be honest, Thomas should be thanking Tuukka. Everyone would be a hell of a lot more pissed at him if Rask wasn't on the verge of being the starter. And Tuukka should be thanking Thomas, it's pretty clear now that he's the number one goalie!
