Report: Bruins Shopping Timmy the Tank

The reports have been flying around all day today. The Bruins have reportedly made Tim Thomas their #1 trading chip for the days leading up to the draft. And as much as I hate to see Timmy the Tank part ways with Beantown, it really is a must that Thomas be wearing a different sweater next season.

There are a few reasons for this. The first and most obvious reason from the team's standpoint is his salary cap hit. Thomas still has 3 years remaining on his contract making $5 million toward the cap in each season. His contract cannot be bought out -- Boston is absolutely stuck with that cap hit. There is one way, and one way only, that they can free up that salary space. What is that way? A trade that Tim Thomas approves of -- he has a no-trade clause, as well. If Boston could find a way to do that, it would open some room on the cap to re-sign the guys they need to, such as Johnny Boychuk. Money is tight right now on the squad, with several players earning raises over the past few seasons. Most would agree that $5 million per season is much too high a salary to be paying your backup goaltender.

And that is a fact, as well. Timmy is now the backup goaltender. Tuukka Rask has taken the reigns between the pipes for the black and gold. His resurgence last season, coupled with his incredible poise and maturity come playoff time, has assured the crowds that he is the real deal. So, given that Thomas is a backup goaltender now for Boston, that leads into the next reason why he must be traded -- for his own sake.

Thomas is a 36-year-old goaltender who has proven he can still flash the pads. Let's be honest here -- he's still an above average goaltender in the NHL. Just because he took a back seat to Tuukka Rask (remember that Rask led the NHL in saves percentage and goals against average) doesn't mean he can't still man the cage. There are a hell of a lot of teams who could use an upgrade at the #1 goalie spot, and Thomas is a competitor. The guy contributed his heart and soul to the Bruins' organization for the past four years. The least we can do is give him the opportunity to keep a starting job in his final years. The way things worked out, it can't happen here. But I sure hope they let it happen somewhere.

There are, however, a few problems with the whole thing. Many experts speculate that Boston has no chance of getting rid of Thomas's $5 million salary without getting a similar contract in return. That would, more-or-less, defeat the purpose of dumping Tank. Teams know this concept. Teams are aware that the Bruins want to dump Thomas's salary -- that they need to dump his salary. So they're going to be picky, and they're going to extract everything they can out of the Bruins. Boston just needs to make sure it knows what the right deal is and pull the trigger on that transaction.

Timmy the Tank has been a great Bruin. He shows pride and determination every time he takes the ice. He's always giving 110% and he has won a ton of games for the Bruins in the past few years. I think every Bruins fan should make sure they recognize the contributions he has made in his time here. He helped transform this franchise into what it has become -- a team with a bright future that is back on the map.

If you do get traded, Timmy... just know that we love you and we'll miss you.