The Florida Panthers are looking to stabilize themselves at the goalie position, and could be trying to bring on Tim Thomas or Ilya Bryzgalov to help round them out between the pipes as the season approaches, according to multiple reports.
According to TSN, Thomas, an unrestricted free agent, has been offered a professional tryout contract with the Panthers and could be looking to make the team. The report also indicates that Thomas, who hasn't made a definitive decision on the 2013-14 season after choosing to sit out the entire 2013 lockout-shortened season, could be set to make an announcement on his future with a new team as soon as Tuesday.
Not sure of what's on Twitter, or not, on Tim Thomas but FLA is one team that has made UFA G offer of PTO. Waiting to hear today/tomorrow.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) September 10, 2013
According to ESPN, Thomas' agent Markus Lehto said that his client want to be a No.1 goaltender, which may not happen in Florida but is open to speculation. Florida's current starter, Jacob Markstrom, is only 23-years-old and it looked as though the Panthers were going to give him the first shot at starting in goal when the season opens up Oct. 3 against the Stars in Dallas. Thomas won the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2010-11 and last played in the NHL in 2011-12, posting a 35-19-1 record in 59 games with a 2.36 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage. Thomas then sat out the whole season last year before being traded to the New York Islanders on Feb. 7 after he was fined by the Bruins for not showing up to camp. His contract ran out while he continued to stay home, and he never played a game with New York. The Bruins did fine without Thomas in 2013 as Tuukka Rask took over as starting goalie and helped lead the team to within two victories of a Stanley Cup in 2013 as the Bruins fell to the Chicago Blackhawks in six games. Florida backup goalie Scott Clemmensen will miss the first three weeks of the season due to an unspecified minor procedure, and the Panthers are hopping to shore up the position before the season starts. Bryzgalov is reportedly on the team's radar, according to TSN.
Not only is FLA kicking tires on Thomas,Bryzgalov's name has come up in Panther discussions.No offer has been made,but contemplated. #TSN — Aaron Ward (@aaronward_nhl) September 11, 2013
Bryzgalov is an unrestricted free agent, but after putting up stellar numbers with the Phoenix Coyotes, his play plummeted as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers the past two seasons, and the team ultimately bought out the seven remaining years on his original nine-year $51 million contract.
After a tumultuous time in Philly, the Panthers could be a fresh start for Bryzgalov should the team bring him aboard.
Whether or not Bryzgalov or Thomas lands with the Panthers remains to be seen, but there is reportedly some interest in them as Thomas will try out for them and possibly make a decision by Tuesday.
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