Two-time Vezina Trophy winner, Tim Thomas, is looking increasingly likely to secure his return to the NHL with the Florida Panthers, after the goaltender’s year out of the game.
The veteran keeper returned to the ice by taking part in the Panthers preseason training camp and a number of NHL betting pundits have suggested that the franchise are now in-line to offer the 39-year old a deal to sign for the Floridians.
The four-time All Star recently revealed that he did not even watch games during his season off, until the playoffs, where he saw his former Bruins teammates reach the Stanley Cup Final before their 4-2 defeat to Chicago.
And it was seeing his former team in the playoffs that gave Thomas the motivation to get back on the ice: “after 14 years of pro hockey, I got tired, and I needed a break. Now, I’m energized and I’m looking forward to it.
“When it came playoff time I started to watch some hockey and started to get the competitive juices flowing and I saw my former team, the Boston Bruins, have the success they had,” admitted Thomas.
While the signing of Thomas would be a huge boost to the Panthers, the veteran would be no certainty for a starting position.
Jacob Markstrom showed last season that he an extremely capable goaltender at this level, but the Swedish youngster may find himself on the bench if the squad is bolstered by the arrival of a goalie of quality of Thomas.
Markstrom may well be the Panthers’ long-term option between the posts, but Thomas is a special goalie to fans betting on NHL and one who could be the difference between Florida making next season’s playoffs and not.
Tim Thomas Florida Panthers
