The Boston Bruins have traded goalie Tim Thomas to the New York Islanders for a conditional 2nd round pick in 2014 or 2015.
The condition on the draft pick is if Thomas plays at least one game.
The Boston Bruins only get a draft pick from the Islanders for Tim Thomas if he reports to them or any other team if NYI trade his rights.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 7, 2013
Thomas’ $5 million salary cap number will now be on the Islanders books, and if they suspended him, they won’t have to pay is $3 million salary. Basically, they assume the salary cap number for nothing. The move was done by the Islanders to ensure that they remain above the salary cap floor for the season.
The Bruins suspended Thomas as he said he wasn’t playing this season. Due to him signing a 35+ contract, his salary cap number of $5 million was still counting against their cap, even though they weren’t paying him a salary. The move have the Bruins flexibility for the remainder of the season to take on a contract. The move puts the Bruins salary cap number at just over $63.1 million for 25 players.
Islanders GM Garth Snow said,
“We have acquired an asset for our organization. This acquisition allows us flexibility with our roster moving forward.”
Some reaction from trade.
Move is cap-related — #Isles needed to be over the floor by tomorrow, needed insurance against not being cap compliant the entire season.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) February 7, 2013
Cap circumvention at its finest: Islanders get above floor just in time for deadline by trading for a guy they know they don’t have to pay.
— Dan Tencer (@dantencer) February 7, 2013
#Isles are unlikely to toll Thomas’ contract at this point. Want flexibility going into offseason with buyouts, etc.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) February 7, 2013
What is not SAID here is if future trades would happen to place #isles under the cap. #insurance — B.D. Gallof (@BDGallof) February 7, 2013
The Tim Thomas Bruins-Isles’ deal is exactly the kind of deal Gary Bettman should be stepping in to quash. — Jim Matheson (@NHLbyMatty) February 7, 2013
This Tim Thomas trade should be struck down. He’s made it clear he’s not playing. #Bruins shouldn’t get that cap relief.
— Mike Harrington (@BNHarrington) February 7, 2013
