Bruins goalie Tim Thomas is indeed considering a year-long sabbatical, Boston general manager Peter Chiarelli confirmed today in a conference call.
Chiarelli said Thomas’s agent delivered the message in May, and for now the Bruins are operating as if the 38-year-old goalie won’t be with the team next season.
It’s not entirely clear why Thomas wants to step away. Chiarelli thinks the Conn Smythe Trophy winner may be “a little worn down” – a reasonable guess considering the long Stanley Cup run and all that goes with winning a championship, plus the whole White House thing.
So…what happens now?
Thomas has one year remaining on his contract, with a cap hit of $5 million. That hit would reportedly remain even if he were suspended by the club.
Thomas’s no-movement clause expires July 1, meaning he could be traded after that.
The B’s should still be fine in goal, with Tuukka Rask the starter and Anton Khudobin backing up.
Related: Tim Thomas reportedly moved family to Colorado partway through season
