Tim Thomas may skip 2012-13 season

[JonLP24]

BOSTON -- Boston Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli confirmed Friday that goalie Tim Thomas is considering taking next season off for family reasons.

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"Tim came to me via his agent toward the beginning of May and said he was thinking of taking the year off," Chiarelli said in a conference call Friday. "The reasons are ... I'm not exactly sure, but he did give reasons why regarding the family, which obviously I respect."

The GM said Thomas, 38, hasn't indicated when he will make a final decision. As a result, Chiarelli must proceed as if the two-time Vezina Trophy winner won't be with the team in 2012-13.

"I almost have to operate under the assumption he isn't coming back," Chiarelli said. "I've had some discussions with Tim and he's told me that he wants to play in the Olympics the following year, so I'll have more discussions with him later on. But we've got two very capable goalies in [Tuukka] Rask and [Anton] Khudobin, so I'd be more than satisfied if that's who we have to go with."

http://espn.go.com/boston/nhl/story/_/id/7997862/boston-bruins-goalie-tim-thomas-sit-2012-13-season

[KamaAina]

1. That means the B's are down both a goalie and a right winger

[joeybee12]

2. Good, now I won't have mixed feelings about cheering for the Bruins

Now that the insane nutjob is out of the way.

[Swede]

3. Chiarelli said they would suspend him,so he won't get paid,if he sits out.

But the Bruins will still take a $5 million cap hit.