Islanders Acquire Tim Thomas. Seriously.

 

Per Arthur Staple, Reports out there are correct: Isles have acquired G Tim Thomas for a conditional 2nd-rounder in either 2014 or 2015.

Start the impulsive, frustrated, embarassed and purely reactionary Isles fan rant now!

 

When the news broke of the Islanders trading a conditional 2nd round pick for Bruins hold out, Tim Thomas - at first, I didnt know what to think either.  The Stanley Cup winning goaltender has sat out this season, saying he would not play for the Bruins.  Per Renaud Lavoie, "Tim Thomas told the Bruins that their is 99% chance he won't play this season. I don't expect it will change after the trade."

OK then! So it seems Garth Snow has aquired Tim Thomas, a Stanley Cup winning goaltender who is currently suspended by the Boston Bruins. Per Katie Strang, "Because Thomas' contract is 35+ his $5M cap hit (pro-rated) will count toward the floor regardless of whether he plays or not." So, the cap hit will get the team to the floor, even if he refuses to report.



Bob McKenzie, " Technically, NYI were cap compliant (to meet floor) as soon as Visnovsky came off suspension today but NYI opted to make Thomas deal anyway.Thomas deal obviously gives NYI flexibility to make moves and remain cap compliant if they so choose."



My boy, Anthony Stabile said it first. "I find it a tad odd Snow would surrender a 2nd rounder for a player that he has no intention of playing for Isles. This one may be one to keep an eye on..."

 

Can this be legal?



Pierre LeBrun got Bill Daly's take on the subject. "As long as a Player has an active contract that he has the right to return to absent unusual circumstances, our view is that he remains a "hockey asset" that a Club has a right to trade or acquire.'' end quote

 

What about the usual rumors of DP being too hurt to play?  Maybe the Isles made a desperate move to get a good player who may use a change of scenery to change his attitude.  Maybe they knew he would play for them, then maybe I thought they would tow the contract until next season like they did with Evgeni Nabokov.

 

B.D. Gallof proved me wrong on the DP injury speculation.  "And told DP is fine. just in case you are wondering."  I was, thanks.

 

Then, more information came out.

 

Arthur Staple, "Isles GM Garth Snow: "This move gives us roster flexibility." 2nd-rounder is conditional on Tim Thomas playing at least 1 game for Isles."

 

Bob McKenzie had this to say on aquiring Thomas' right, "Which is ideal for NYI. No acquisition price. NYI can toll contract to next year if they like, continue to get cap benefit in perpetuity.  Or NYI can let contract expire at end of season and be done with it. Their call. Thomas has no intent to return to play at this time."

 

"So why not make a trade for a guy who will help the team instead of adding a "useless" player on paper?"  I get this.  Its a logical question.  I think that Snow would make a trade for what he thought was a long term solution for a player who would help the team win, but how many of those guys are available for a price the Isles would be willing to pay?

 

The Isles only lose the conditional pick if Thomas suits up for New York this season for at least one game or they move him in a trade.  That would bring in the possibility of towing the contract to next season and the Isles wouldn't have pay a player who is suspended.  That means, if he doesn't play for the Isles, Thomas would be a tradeable asset that they would get more than a second round pick for in a deal.  Per Craig Custance, " Visnovsky & Thomas account for $10.6 million of cap space towards floor but cost NYI only $3 million in actual salary if TT doesn't play."

 

Katie Strang, " GM Garth Snow said he has had conversation with Tim Thomas, but wouldn't say what that entailed, whether he wants to play."

 

 

 

My feeling is that this season is "last looks" for Management before making its final deisions on the organizations last few core pieces and if they would be put in place.  As the prospects improve and mature, the veterans who dont fit in the future plans will become moveable assets.  Streit and Visnovsky could be good examples of this.  Snow will continue to resign rostered players who he sees as a part of the core moving forward before looking to free agents, unless that free agent is an addable asset or depth move.  He has shown he will go to the waiver wire with good results when available, although this tactic will become less viable as the Isles improve and go up in the NHL standings.

 

Lets wait and see where this goes.  It is out of the ordinary for the NHL, but others including B.D. Gallof, whose opinion I respect, says other sports do things like this all the time.  If you think its a big joke, and the Isles suck and the Owner sucks and the GM sucks, and the team sucks ... and is a joke ... take a deep breath and see what happens.  If you are way too frustrated by what you would call the latest embarrasement, maybe you need to make a change.  I hope you reconsider. 

 

I haven't given up yet, so I am sticking around.