Bruins Sign Goaltender Thomas to Four-Year Extension

The Boston Bruins have announced that they have re-signed goaltender Tim Thomas to a four-year contract extension worth $20 million. The deal averages out to $5 million per season. He would have become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Thomas has enjoyed a fine season as the Bruins' starting goaltender, posting a 34-11-7 record in 52 games so far this season with a league-leading GAA of 2.07 and a save percentage of .933, while also playing in the 2009 & 2008 all-star games. He has played his entire career with the Bruins and previously played in Finland before heading to the NHL prior to the 2002-03 season. This is an excellent signing for the Bruins as Thomas has steadily improved his play over the past few seasons. Many hockey pundits and followers believe Thomas' stellar play this season will earn him the Vezina Trophy as the top goaltender and has also helped the Bruins reach the 50 win plateau since the 1992-93 season. With both Thomas and backup Manny Fernandez set to become unrestricted free agents at the end of the season, Thomas was the obvious choice for the Bruins to re-sign as their starting goalie for next season and beyond, which will likely make prospect Tuukka Rask the backup for the 2009-10 season. His fine goaltending skills this season could help the team advance deep in the playoffs in the coming months. The only roadblock the Bruins may run into with Thomas' contract is that it may be difficult for them to re-sign impending restricted free agents Phil Kessel, David Krejci, and Matt Hunwick. All three have played well this season and are due for decent raises, and with the team currently sitting $11 million under the salary cap for next season, may be forced to make a salary-dumping trade in order to re-sign these three players.