Isle of Tim

Breaking news, breaking news!!!
 
Well you could also say that this was bound to happen sooner or later.

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Earlier in the evening, the Boston Bruins made the sports headlines when they traded away their former 'star' goalie Tim Thomas to the New York Islanders for a conditional 2nd round draft pick in either the 2014 or 2015 NHL draft. However the terms of the deal state that the Bruins would only get that draft pick if Timmy reported to the Islanders or if the Islanders traded his rights to another team.

One can say that this move happened for many reasons. One is the cliche salary dump. Thomas was in the final year of a 4-year, $20-million extension deal he signed back in 2009 and was slated to make around $3-million + incentives that could bring a total of $5-million. Another reason is that the Bruins want to move forward. Earlier this year Tim Thomas said he was 'taking the year off to be with loved ones', even though that A. He was still under contract with the team and B. I'm sure his now ex-Bruin teammates loved the fact he pulled off that stunt, even though they got loved ones waiting for them as well. So you could say that was the final straw that broke Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli's back.

On the opposite side, you have to wonder why the Islanders decided to take such a troublesome player that might not even report to the team. Well the reward could be worth the risk. The Islanders do not have a goalie of Thomas' caliber. Regardless of his 'antics', Tim Thomas is a 2x Vezina Trophy Winner and d Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award Winner (for best goalie save %) in 2009 and 2011. He also is a 4x All-Star (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012) and both a Conn Smythe Trophy winner and Stanley Cup winner. (both in 2011) Not to mention that the Islanders will be moving from Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale on Long Island to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn before the 2015-2016 season and what a better way to sell tickets than to feature a former All-Star and Stanley Cup winner goalie.

So this could be a beneficial move for both sides. The Bruins will be able to put in their goalie of the future, Tuukka Rask, in net like they have been waiting for and Tim Thomas gets a new change of scenario to a team that will more than likely break the bank for his services. But that's all assuming the man gets off his ass and back out on the ice. But hey, the reward can sometimes be worth the risk.

-Ryan L. Fox