Islanders acquire Tim Thomas's cap hit.

[bustaheims]

The Islanders also have the option of deferring the contract to next year since he won't be showing up, and they can use that $5M indefinitely as far as I can tell.

Silly loophole indeed.

Unless Thomas officially retires before the end of the season. If he does, then the cap hit expires when the season ends. They can keep the cap hit for as long as Thomas is still considered to be an active player.

 

[Kessel Run]

The Islanders also have the option of deferring the contract to next year since he won't be showing up, and they can use that $5M indefinitely as far as I can tell.

Silly loophole indeed.

Unless Thomas officially retires before the end of the season. If he does, then the cap hit expires when the season ends. They can keep the cap hit for as long as Thomas is still considered to be an active player.

Probably unlikely that he retires. Didn't he state it was possible for a return next year?

 

[bustaheims]

Probably unlikely that he retires. Didn't he state it was possible for a return next year?

Yes and no. His "I'm taking the year off" letter certainly left the door open, but, it felt like he was leaning towards not coming back. Some of the talking heads yesterday suggested that it was unlikely he would. It wouldn't surprise me that, if the Islanders try to toll the contract, he'll just call it a career instead.

 

[princedpw]

Such a stupid trade. How is it that a team can get above the cap floor by absorbing a player's cap hit while not actually paying him anything? The cap floor should be the cap floor, you should't be able to use imaginary money to get above it. Seems to me a silly loophole in the CBA.

... of course, I'd prefer it if there was no cap floor ...

 

[The Red Polar Bear]

Probably unlikely that he retires. Didn't he state it was possible for a return next year?

Yes and no. His "I'm taking the year off" letter certainly left the door open, but, it felt like he was leaning towards not coming back. Some of the talking heads yesterday suggested that it was unlikely he would. It wouldn't surprise me that, if the Islanders try to toll the contract, he'll just call it a career instead.

Could he not just show up with like, a week left in the season, causing his contract to expire and then screwing the Islanders out of a 2nd round pick?

 

[bustaheims]

Could he not just show up with like, a week left in the season, causing his contract to expire and then screwing the Islanders out of a 2nd round pick?

In theory, yes.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Interesting details but...

The Islanders effectively made the deal for cap reasons, to give themselves some breathing room with respect to the cap floor of $44.3 million. By acquiring Thomas, they get that relief, but with Thomas in his self-imposed NHL exile, they get that relief without having to pay a penny of his salary and without having to give up the second round pick in 2014 or ?15.

If Thomas were to want to continue his career next season, he would owe the Islanders the final year on his contract, but the Islanders would also have the right to decline that option, which would make Thomas an unrestricted free agent. It was thought that if Thomas continued to sit-out the Islanders would be able to carry that $5 million cap hit to next year and years beyond, effectively getting them $5 million closer to the salary cap floor without having to spend any actual money.

Bill Daly (on) whether the Islanders could carry Thomas?s cap hit into subsequent seasons.

?It?s a fair question,? Daly told thn.com via email. ?I don?t believe we would carry the cap charge past this year.?

From: http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/49902-Tolling-Tim-Thomas-fighting-rises-and-sacred-goalies.html

 

[Deebo]

@TSNBobMcKenzie: Expect an announcement shortly that Tim Thomas is exploring his return to play opportunities in the NHL.

 

[ZBBM]

@TSNBobMcKenzie: Expect an announcement shortly that Tim Thomas is exploring his return to play opportunities in the NHL.

And maybe it will be with the Islanders?  They are finally buying out DiPietro.  That deal, plus Yashin's = unbelievable.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

@TSNBobMcKenzie: Expect an announcement shortly that Tim Thomas is exploring his return to play opportunities in the NHL.

And maybe it will be with the Islanders?  They are finally buying out DiPietro.  That deal, plus Yashin's = unbelievable.

I wonder if they're regretting not tolling his contract. Or if they're able to go back on that.

 

[bustaheims]

I wonder if they're regretting not tolling his contract. Or if they're able to go back on that.

That contract officially expired 24 hours (well, 24 hours less ~15 minutes). I'm pretty sure their window of opportunity is now over.