Tampa Bay Times reporter Damian Cristodero acknowledges the logic of Tim Thomas to Tampa Bay Lightning trade rumors. At the same time, Cristodero reports that "there is no indication this is the way Tampa Bay wants to go" yet "practical arguments can be made both ways." Thomas might make more sense for the Bolts - who need at least a temporary fix in net - because he only has one more year left on his contract (as opposed to Roberto Luongo's lengthy deal).

If Boston is to do any re-tooling this off-season, then it seems a trade involving Tim Thomas will be the catalyst. The Bruins have little cap flexibility with Thomas' $5 million salary on the books and in order to upgrade their forward lines money will be needed. A trade of Thomas will free up that cap room and also allow the team to re-sign RFA Tuukka Rask. Stay tuned.

Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli downplayed the possibility of the team trading Tim Thomas. Thomas' no-movement clause will no longer be in effect starting on July 1st and Tuukka Rask is scheduled to be a restricted free agent this summer. Thomas is also entering the last season of his contract and he recently turned 38, so there are some valid reasons for them to at least explore their options. "I know I've seen speculation about moving a goalie and all that stuff," Chiarelli said. "Certainly, I'm not inclined to do that. Tim didn't have, statistically, the year he had the year before. But I thought he had a very good year. We have, if not the best, one of the top two or three goalie tandems in the league."

There's a chance that Tim Thomas will be traded over the summer. Thomas' no-movement clause will no longer be in effect starting on July 1st. As great as Thomas has been, there is a couple of reasons the Bruins might trade him. The first is that he recently turned 38 and his contract will expire at the end of the 2012-13 campaign, so if they ever wanted to get a return for him in the trade market, they're running out of time. Another is that they have a great young goaltender in Tuukka Rask, who is ready to assume the starters job. Rask is also scheduled to become a restricted free agent this summer, so it would be expensive to keep both of them.

Tim Thomas kicked out 25 of 27 shots in a 2-1 loss Wednesday night. The Boston Bruins have now lost their first round series to the Washington Capitals in seven games. Thomas was ultimately outplayed by a much less experienced Braden Holtby, but this series loss wasn't his fault. The Boston Bruins' forward deserve their fair share of the blame and Washington's Holtby a significant amount of the credit.

Tim Thomas looked like his all-world self more often on Sunday as he helped the Boston Bruins push the Washington Capitals to a Game 7 as they won 4-3 in OT. Thomas stopped 36 out of 39 shots, outdueling Braden Holtby. It won't be easy, but the Bruins have to like their chances with the reigning Vezina in net for their fourth Game 7 in two playoff runs.

Tim Thomas, who did not look particularly sharp in a 4-3 loss Saturday, will be looking to rebound against the Capitals Sunday afternoon. He better be better or the Bruins will be eliminated from the playoffs and will turn to their golf clubs. Thomas allowed a soft goal to Mike Knuble Saturday as he could not control a redound off a Joel Ward shot. Troy Brouwer's goal on was on a shot that Thomas has handled successfully hundreds of times. Although he will be hostile surroundings (the game is in Washington) we expect that Thomas will be redeemed Sunday. if the Bruins don't extend the series, we are betting it won't be Thomas' fault.

Tim Thomas saved 28 of 32 shots in a 4-3 loss Saturday. Thomas surrendered two goals in each of the second and third periods. He hasn't been bad in this series, but he has been outplayed by rookie sensation Braden Holtby. The Bruins are now down 3-2 in their first round series, so they need Thomas to be at his best moving forward.

Tim Thomas made 19 stops, but it wasn't enough as the Boston Bruins fell to the Washington Capitals in Game 4, 2-1 on Thursday night. Thomas let up a goal on the first shot of the game, then was steady throughout, allowing one more on 20 shots. Of course, he had the much easier night than his young counterpart, Braden Holtby, on the other end, who faced 45 shots. Thomas has given up seven goals this series, but has certainly been the less taxed netminder. Game 5 is Saturday afternoon.

TIm Thomas made 29 saves as the Boston Bruins prevailed in Game 3 against the Washington Capitals 4-3 on Monday night. The netminder allowed a goal in each period and has given up only five goals in this series. Like most good goalies, Thomas is proving that he's tough to beat without commotion and traffic in front of his crease. The Bruins lead the series 2-1, and the two teams will reconvene for Game 4 on Thursday.