Tim Thomas NOT playing in 2012-2013:

Summer. The longest months to a hockey fan. Fortunately, we have slowly crawled our way into June...which means the first big off season event, the NHL Entry Draft, is only a handful of days away. 

Where most summer days bring nothing but rumors and speculation, this past weekend brought some interesting news:


Tim Thomas WILL sit out the 2012-2013 NHL season.


More on this situation after the jump!

After rumors surfaced that Thomas was seriously contemplating a one year hiatus from the NHL, the former Vezina and Conn Smythe winner has decided to not play out the final year of his contract next year. 

Thomas was under a fair amount of scrutiny this year after the White House fiasco. When a player has been a subject of off ice issues, the best way to shut up critics is on the ice. Make the media focus on your play, not what you do away from the rink. Someone forgot to give Thomas that memo. 

As a result of this, we can be rest assured that any update on a possible return, contract problems or any discrepancy between him and management will make the front page of most media outlets. At 38 years of age, Thomas can't have much left in the tank. He still plans on playing for Team USA in 2014 at Sochi. 

A good point was made by Jamie McLennan on TSN that with his age AND a year off from the game, the chances of him being ready to go for the Olympics are incredibly slim. 

Regardless of how this story ends, it will be an interesting plot line for the upcoming year. As a top NHL goalie for the past four years, it would be a shame to see Thomas' unbelievable career be tainted by off ice issues.