Thomas might have to stay
The Bruins lived with a $5 million back-up goaltender last spring and through the playoffs. Now it looks like they might be doing that again in the 2010-11 season.
Through three hours of “Free Agent Frenzy,” teams once thought to be suitors for Boston’s No. 2 netminder have found cheaper ways to fill their crease.
First San Jose lured Antero Niittymaki away from Tampa Bay for a two-year deal worth $4 million. And then Dan Ellis inked a deal to replace Niittymaki with the Lightning at a friendly $1.5 million per for two seasons. Ellis is a good friend of Lightning incumbent goaltender Mike Smith and is looking forward to working with him.
Philadelphia became a less likely destination as well, because they spent their money in other ways by acquiring $4 million-per-year blueliner Andrej Meszaros from Tampa Bay and then re-signed Braydon Coburn as a restricted free agent. For Philly to add $5 million for a goaltender, there’d have to be some major money moving.
So with Evgeni Nabokov, Marty Turco, Chris Mason and Jose Theodore still available as free agents, where could Thomas land. Washington might re-consider it’s goaltending situation, and Atlanta is still chasing someone to man its crease. But the pickings are slim. Thomas just might find himself right where he started the summer when fall rolls around.
Please don’t suggest that Thomas’ deal is bad because Rask was coming up for his first season last year and it will usually take a year or two for a goalie mature to the level of starter so I saw the deal and though it was maybe a year too long, but I think it will stand as a good deal when it was made. If you want one that he might get fired for, ( really doubt either of these) but you might look at Ryder and Lucic instead.
Lucic deal is a million times worse than Thomas. We can afford 2 goalies.
Minor correction: TSN says Niittymaki got $2M per year for 2 years ($4M total).
he makes a great backup to Rask. I hope he stays. question in my mind is if Tim would rather be a number one or stay home with his family. I think he’ll be around until closer to the trade deadline, as well, but if he wants to go be a number one while he isn’t quite “old,” I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go. I’m much more unsure about this Savard stuff! oh, Bruins….
If we could trade him now – that would open some options, but anyone that has witnessed the glut of FA goalies on the market can see the best play is to wait until the trade deadline when the options will be much fewer and far between.
Let TT prove he is recovered from the hip – give Rask some early season rest – and then make the trade for what we’ll need to make a run for the cup.
I guess everyone is hyper for a trade – but sensible fans will remain patient, and be thankful that PC is as well.
no, it isn’t “the contract that might get Chiarelli fired.” a killer second goaltender is VERY key. anybody who doesn’t expect a starting goalie to have injuries and fatigue should be fired. that said, there is a balance between locking in a proven veteran who may deteriorate and calling on a newcomer that could explode with a sick streak of saves to spell the number one and possibly take over like Rask did. I’m still assuming there is a home to be found for Thomas. do you think the free agent goalies are satisfying prospects for a coach questioning his netminding crew? I think somebody will call for Timmy AND NOT be trying to force through a big salary dump with the move. think about the room the Bruins would have if both Thomas and Savard go without a lot coming back in terms of contracts.
the third paragraph of the article is tough to read. maybe “And then the Lightning inked a deal to replace Niittymaki with Dan Ellis at a friendly $1.5 million per for two seasons.” feel free to delete any free editor services I post; clarity is a commodity in the world of blogging and free help need not be known. thanks for your work.
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This is the contract that might get Chiarelli fired…