For Tim Thomas, the comeback continues.
Florida Panthers head coach Kevin Dineen told the Miami Herald on Sunday that Thomas would be a “great option” to start the team’s season opener against the Dallas Stars. After signing a one-year contract last week, Thomas looks to have beaten out 23-year-old Jacob Markstrom for the starting job in Sunrise, Fla.
“Tim has really established himself with our team and our organization within a short period of time,” Dineen said. “[Thomas] is a good guy and a real solid player for us right now. He’s a great option for us on Thursday night.”
Markstrom has yet to prove himself as a stable candidate for the starting job in Florida, and the Panthers appear to be leaning toward Thomas as a goaltender who can bail out a less-than-stellar defensive team. Thomas looks to be the man between the pipes as the Panthers take on Tyler Seguin and the Stars on Thursday night in Texas.
It also increases the chances of Thomas facing the Bruins and his old teammates when the B’s travel to Florida on Oct. 17 and when Thomas returns to Boston for the first time on Nov. 7.
