NHL 2013: Boston Bruins' Tim Thomas Traded To NY Islanders

The New York Islanders have acquired Conn Smythe winning goaltender Tim Thomas from the Boston Bruins for a conditional second-round pick.

"We have acquired an asset for our organization," Islanders General Manager Garth Snow said. "This acquisition allows us flexibility with our roster moving forward."

According to NY Islanders beat writer Arthur Staple, the move is purely motivated by the Islanders' need to reach the cap floor by Friday's deadline. "Move is cap-related -- #Isles needed to be over the floor by tomorrow, needed insurance against not being cap compliant the entire season," tweets Staple.

Thomas is currently taking a hiatus in Colorado with his family and has made no plans to play hockey this year. If he plays for the Islanders or any team that New York trades him to, then Boston get as second round pick. If Thomas does not suit up, the Bruins do not get anything from the Islanders.

Thomas is currently under suspension for not reporting. He is under the final year of his contract but with the suspension Snow can toll his contract and force Thomas to play out the final year next season.

The New York Islanders' goaltending situation has been noted for its instability over the last few years. Rick DiPietro was signed to a 15-year contract in 2006, but has been unable to stay healthy the last few years; he has played in 48 games since the 2006-07 season. DiPietro is currently the backup to Evgeni Nabokov who is signed for one year with the Islanders. If the Islanders choose toll Thomas' contract it is possible that they are not looking to extend Nabokov. It is also possible that New York is looking to use its amnesty buyout clause on DiPietro to get rid of the final nine years on his contract and will look to keep the two veteran netminders for next season. The Islanders have two goalie prospects Kevin Poulin and Anders Nillson playing in their AHL affiliate Bridgeport, but both have struggled this season.

The other possibility is that Thomas' $5 million cap hit could enable the Islanders room to trade away certain contracts at the deadline if the team is not in contention by the April 3 trade deadline.

Thomas, 37, won the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011. He was awarded with the Conn Smythe as the playoff MVP; he also won the Vezina during the 2010-11 season as the best goalie in the league.