Thomas still without team

 

Bill Zito, agent for Tim Thomas, let it be known prior to the June 30 draft that Thomas evinced some interest in returning to the game for the upcoming season. Some three weeks later, still no takers for Thomas, who will turn 40 as the playoffs begin next spring.

 

Upon heading for his extended hiatus in Colorado last summer, Thomas mentioned to both Zito and Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli that he might want to take a shot at the 2014 US Olympic roster.

 

“I’m speaking to a few teams about Timmy,’’ Zito noted Friday via e-mail. “Trying to find the best fit.’’

 

If an NHL club comes calling at this point, it might only be to extend Thomas a training camp invitation, no money guaranteed, with a shot at winning a backup job. Many, if not most, European jobs are locked up by Aug. 1 at the latest. The Islanders and Flyers have been rumored to have interest in Thomas.

 

There had been some speculation that the Blue Jackets could be interested because new GM Jarmo Kekalainen years ago gave Thomas his big shot in Finland. But Columbus appears to be all set, with Vezina winner Sergei Bobrovsky signed to a new two-year pact ($5.625 million cap hit) and Curtis McElhinney inked to a one-year, one-way deal ($600,000) as backup.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/07/20/nhl-free-agency-hot-start-goes-dormant-summer-heat/EBayqevZovSXb22VNzNkmK/story.html