Thomas is eligible to play on Friday, but leaving practice early suggests he is not ready. The Panthers also play on Saturday, so monitor Thomas' status over the weekend - Florida could use him in a back-to-back situation.
Thomas has been placed on IR but Panthers head coach Kevin Dineen says he does not expect him to be out longterm.
After a strong performance against his former team, Thomas followed that up by stopping 30 of 31 shots in a 2-1 shootout win over the Wild on Saturday. His SV% has now reached the .900 plateau (.901) but the 3.36 GAA is still on the high-side. He has a tough matchup with the reigning Stanley Cup Champions in town.
Thomas played very well in his first start back from a groin injury and against his former team. He stopped 37 shots in the 3-2 loss, but the game-winner was a soft goal allowed by the veteran. He will take on the WIld tonight.
After missing four games with a groin injury, Thomas will return to the cage tomorrow night vs. his former team. He has been back at practice since Monday, so it seems as if his groin is back to 100%. Even though he might have some extra motivation against his former team, he isn't a good start tomorrow.
It doesn't sound like there's any chance that Thomas plays tomorrow, but monitor his status on Wednesday.
Thomas has missed the last three games with a groin injury. Jacob Markstrom has taken over in Thomas' absence and allowed 12 goals in three starts with a .870 SV%. Thomas could make the start tomorrow in Nashville.
Thomas says groin is responding well to treatment, and does not think he will be out long. There were reports that he could potentially land on IR, but we will have to see where this goes. For now consider him day-to-day until reported otherwise. Jacob Markstrom will take over between the pipes.
He is not expected to return to the game.
Thomas' Panthers debut went well, but the veteran struggled in his second start. He allowed five goals on 28 shots before being pulled. Jacob Markstrom struggled as well, which left the door open for Thomas to start tonight vs. Philadelphia.
Thomas looked good in his first NHL action in almost a year and a half. He stopped 25 of the 27 shots he faced in a 4-2 win over the Dallas Stars. Tonight he will take on Jaroslav Halak and the Blues, who looked really good in their first contest (4-2 win vs NSH). With 11 games on the NHL schedule tonight, you probably have a better option.
After a year removed from hockey, Thomas has signed with the Panthers for the 2013-14 season and will start tomorrow. The 39-year-old had back-to-back 35 win seasons from 2010-2012 with the Boston Bruins. He has a career 2.48 GAA, .921 SV% and a .541 winning percentage. If the Panthers are going to surprise us this season, they will need Thomas to regain his form from a few years ago.
“Tim is a proven winner who we are pleased to have signed,” said Panthers GM Dave Tallon. “He is a fierce competitor who brings to our club a wealth of experience including a Stanley Cup Championship, two Vezina trophies and a Conn Smythe. Thomas sat out the lockout shortened season but in 2011-12 he was 35-19-1 with a 2.36 GAA and .920 SV%. He should become the Panthers starter which gives him some instant fantasy value, but his ceiling is limited.
Thomas is in Panthers camp on a professional tryout. Starting tomorrow's game would suggest that Thomas is close to signing a deal with the Panthers.
Thomas, honored as the league's top goalie in 2009 and '11, will join the Panthers for Tuesday's practice. If Thomas earns a spot on the Panthers, Florida would have to find a place for Jacob Markstrom or Scott Clemmensen. Markstrom could stay up with the Panthers -- and even remain the starter.
Thomas, 39, who led the Bruins to a Stanley Cup championship in 2009-10, took last season off for personal reasons, and may need extra time to get into game shape, according to the source. He is most likely en route to South Florida today to take a physical and medical testing before agreeing to a professional tryout arrangement. The source said that the Panthers are Thomas', "top option.''
This is nothing more than a move to get the Islanders to the Salary Cap floor. Don't go and get Thomas off the waiver wire because he still is not going to play this season.
Thomas will be suspended the full season and Tuuka Rask will take the reigns in Boston.
No surprise that the B's will go with Thomas for Game 7.
