[Signing] Panthers sign Tim Thomas to PTO. update: signs 1 year deal

[sureLoss]

Harvey Fialkov ‏@hfialkov 7m A source just told Sun Sentinel that Panthers are Tim Thomas' top option and news should break today. #FlaPanthers

Harvey Fialkov ‏@hfialkov 6m The source also said Thomas could possibly accept a PTO and could be in South Floriday today. #flapanthers


Harvey Fialkov ‏@hfialkov 6m
The source also said not to expect Thomas to play in a game anytime soon. #FlaPanthers

Harvey Fialkov ‏@hfialkov 3m Thomas hasn't played in a game in 17 months so game shape may take time. Clemmensen was walking without a limp yesterday so... #FlaPanthers

[TurnedTheCorner]

Thumbs down, Panthers.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

Thumbs down, Panthers.

Why?

[Chell_King]

Why wouldn't the coilers take a flyer on this guy.

[PlayfulGenius]

I don't understand all the G rumours with FLA... They're rebuilding and thy have a stud in Markstrom... I don't understand the value in them going after Thomas, or Luongo in previous rumours.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

I don't understand all the G rumours with FLA... They're rebuilding and thy have a stud in Markstrom... I don't understand the value in them going after Thomas, or Luongo in previous rumours.

Thomas or Bryzgalov (who I believe is already there on a PTO) could be the backup or the 1b to Markstrom. Just because the kid is a stud prospect doesn't mean they should trow him to the wolves and have him play 60+ games for a bad team.

[Cheese]

as much as I hate TTs political stance, if he gets back to anything close to what he was, the Panthers win this big time.

[Poe969]

Again, I like it when teams who finished lower than the Flames or are projected to be lower than the Flames improve their team

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

I don't understand all the G rumours with FLA... They're rebuilding and thy have a stud in Markstrom... I don't understand the value in them going after Thomas, or Luongo in previous rumours.

Much like in Calgary, you simply cant throw the young guys into the water and say sink or swim. That is a recipe for disaster and even longer future "rebuilds". It only makes sense to get a vet to mentor the young Markstrom, and if Thomas helps them win games along the way, that helps the bottom line as well. Particularly in a market like Florida where support is weak unless the team is winning.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

I don't understand all the G rumours with FLA... They're rebuilding and thy have a stud in Markstrom... I don't understand the value in them going after Thomas, or Luongo in previous rumours.

I would view it in the same way that Sarich was a great guy to pair up with the rookie defender. Some guys are considered to be good mentors.

Of course, with Thomas you have a guy who has some odd ideas, particularly his strong polictical beliefs. However, Thomas did a great job platooning with Rask and some might argue that Rask's development was helped by it. If Thomas can come in and do that again in Florida with Markstrom then the Panthers will be a better organization for years to come because of it.

Bryzgalov I do not really understand as much. That guy just seems to be a drama bomb waiting for his next opportunity to go off.

[moon]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

I don't understand all the G rumours with FLA... They're rebuilding and thy have a stud in Markstrom... I don't understand the value in them going after Thomas, or Luongo in previous rumours.

I think it has a lot to do with the fact that Markstrom is far from a stud and has a ton of questions after his poor play. Plus, even if he is able to improve a lot still good to have a veteran there to help show him the ropes, play games when things are going poorly for him and/or the team.

Whether Tim Thomas is the right guy for this role is debatable but Markstrom certainly hasn't done anything close to impressive enough to be considered a stud or to wonder why the Panthers want to improve their goaltending situation.

[kyuss275]

The tweets don't make sense. One say's he will be signed to a PTO. Another say's he will not play soon. If he can't play soon what are they basing the PTO on? 1-2 pre-season games?

[sureLoss]

Done deal per the Miami Herald:
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/flapa...ce=twitterfeed

[868904]

Once again, Tim Thomas gets what Luongo wanted real badly.

Luuu must hate Thomas.

[Jordan!]

WAit, didn't Bryzgalov sign there on PTO??

[StrykerSteve]

Wow @ the Panthers' goaltending depth right now.

[Locke]

Jesus H. Rollerblading Christ.

Tim Thomas and Ilya Bryzgalov on the same team? Those conversations are going to be intense.

Are they asking whether Hextall and Hasek are planning to return just so they can have all the headcase goaltenders under one roof?

[Fire]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Wow @ the Panthers' goaltending depth right now.

The depth doesn't truly exist until they are signed to a contract. Another team could come in a sign them away from the panthers.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Locke

Are they asking whether Hextall and Hasek are planning to return just so they can have all the headcase goaltenders under one roof?

Are there any other kinds of goaltenders?

I doubt the Panthers will keep both of those guys on past camp. Markstrom is still their future #1, they just need to take some pressure off him.

I'm betting that this turns into Thomas and Markstrom while at this point Bryzgalov is auditioning for other teams to throw him an offer. Looking at capgeek, the Preds need a second goalie and I'm sure any number of teams could be considering replacing their backup with Bryzgalov if he is willing to take a cheap 1yr contract.

[Miniac]

Originally Posted by Poe969

Again, I like it when teams who finished lower than the Flames or are projected to be lower than the Flames improve their team

I thinking the same thing