Don’t expect a Tim Thomas trade anytime soon

Kevin Dupont of the Boston Globe is reporting this morning that contrary to several reports yesterday saying that Tim Thomas’ agent was given permission to seek a trade, prompting speculation that Thomas was on his way out of Boston, the veteran netminder doesn’t appear to be going anywhere at the moment.

Bill Zito, Thomas’ agent, spoke with the Globe and and said that Thomas is willing to look into being traded if that is what the Bruins want, but there have been no offers brought to Zito and as of now Thomas isn’t going anywhere.

“I know what’s out there now -- a story that says I’m out to get a deal done,’' said Zito, the Chicago-based agent who was instrumental in finding Thomas work in both Europe and North America. “But that’s just not true. Absolutely nothing has been brought to me. No team has come to me and said, ‘Yes, we want him, would he come here?’ And I am not actively canvassing the NHL to find Timmy a new place to play.’'

That makes complete sense, as I was confused as to what sort of market could be out there for Thomas, who is set to make $6 million next year as a 36-year old goaltender coming off a bad season. There will be more goaltenders on the market in free agency than there are starting jobs available and teams can afford to wait and not have to make a trade for an expensive netminder like Thomas.

There’s no doubt that the Bruins would want to move Thomas, as they are now set with Tuukka Rask and need the cap space. But that’s the risk you take when you sign an older goaltender to the contract Thomas received, while giving him a no-movement clause. Now you’d like to trade him, but there just isn’t any interest out there in the NHL.