Following up on the earlier report that Tim Thomas is close to picking a team with which to sign, TSN’s Bob McKenzie tweets that the Florida Panthers have offered the 39-year-old goalie a tryout.
Goaltending was a major problem last year for the Panthers, who finished with the worst record in the NHL.
As it stands, Jacob Markstrom and Scott Clemmensen (who just had knee surgery, by the way) are slated to share duties in Florida. The former, just 23 years old, is supposed to be the future in Florida; however, he still has much to prove after a so-so 2013 season in which his save percentage finished at .901.
Thomas, according to his agent, wants to be a starter on the team he joins. Would he get that opportunity with the Panthers, or are they committed to Markstrom as their number one for 2013-14?
At the very least, we know that Florida is intrigued at the possibility of adding the two-time Vezina Trophy winner.
Projected starter G Marktrom told me today that he's going into TC same as always to earn a roster spot. Good attitude. #FlaPanthers
— Harvey Fialkov (@hfialkov) September 10, 2013
Also, this:
With Clemmensen out for 3 weeks, Panthers offered a PTO to Jose Théodore today. Théodore rejected the offer. He's waiting for a contract.
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) September 10, 2013