Let’s get everyone up to speed before we start asking the headline question.
Thomas signed a four year deal that averages $5 million per. So even though he got money up front with bigger paychecks and is only getting paid $3 million this upcoming season, the cap hit is $5 million. They put this in the CBA to prevent 30 year contracts where they pay a player the minimum in all the later years in an attempt to circumvent the cap.
Staying with me?
Well Chiarelli clearly didn’t know this next part. When a 35 or older player signs, you’re on the hook for his salary even if he retires.
So the Bruins have a Thomas cap hit regardless of what Timmy does. He can play, sit out, or retire; the Bruins have the hit.
The final part is Thomas’s no movement clause that expires on July 1st. Meaning the Bruins can trade him wherever and he has no say.
What’s your play Timmy?
His agent says it’s not to be traded.
Are we to believe Thomas at his word? Did something really bad happen like a sick child (we hope nothing like that) that has him rattled to the point he needs to be home?
Is he really a whack job? He moved his family to Colorado. Does he think the End of Days is really coming and he wants his family in the bunkers in Colorado?
I think the whole thing sucks. Without Timmy, there’s no Cup in Boston. Yet this whole situation is turning the fans on their hometown hero.
Timmy doesn’t owe the Bruins anything. But they gave him a job when he was struggling to makes a roster in Europe. How about you honor your contract?
The Bruins could still trade him to a team looking to make the salary floor. If he’s sitting home they’ll have the cap hit to reach the minimum but wouldn’t have to pay him a dime of the $3 million he’s owed. Just a thought.
We’ll see how it ends up playing out but what you need to know for now is, it’s Tuukka Time.
