Bruins Approach Tim Thomas' Agent To Kick Start Trade Talks

Tim Thomas isn't getting his starting job back in Boston, and that's as clear as day with the presence of young goalie Tuukka Rask. So you would think, then, that it would suit both the Bruins and Thomas well to part ways. One gets an albatross of a contract off of their books while the other gets a chance to earn a starting gig again.

The Bruins reportedly took the first step in facilitating a potential trade today, asking Thomas' agent, Bill Zito, for permission to talk with other teams about a trade. According to CapGeek.com, Thomas has a full no-trade clause and a full no-movement clause, meaning he can't be traded or sent to the minors, in effect until July 2012.

The news was first reported today by TSN's Darren Dreger. It was followed up by CSN New England Bruins' beat writer Joe Haggerty, who added that it would make sense for the Lightning to be a potential trade partner, but that talks hadn't really taken shape just yet.