Reports: Bruins trade Tim Thomas to Islanders

Goalie Tim Thomas, who helped the Bruins win the Stanley Cup in 2011 and made headlines with his political statements, has been traded to the Islanders, as first reported by HockeyBuzz.com.

Thomas, who distanced himself from the Bruins while on a sabbatical, now becomes part of a cap-relief deal that sends a conditional second-round pick in either 2014 or 2015 to Boston, according to Newsday’s Arthur Staple.

After winning the Cup, Thomas refused to join his Bruins teammates at the White House because he did not agree with President Barack Obama’s policies and believed the federal government “has grown out of control” and threatened rights and liberties.

Tim Thomas has been traded to the NY Islanders. More to come—
Hockey Buzz Eklund (@Eklund) February 07, 2013

Reports out there are correct: #Isles have acquired G Tim Thomas for a conditional 2nd-rounder in either 2014 or 2015.—
Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) February 07, 2013

Move is cap-related — #Isles needed to be over the floor by tomorrow, needed insurance against not being cap compliant the entire season.—
Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) February 07, 2013