Reports: Florida Panthers trade Tim Thomas to Dallas Stars
Two-time Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas will back up Kari Lehtonen in Dallas. (Eliot J. Schechter/NHL/Getty Images)
The Florida Panthers' acquisition of Roberto Luongo from Vancouver has reportedly led to another goalie trade. The Panthers have sent veteran Tim Thomas to the Dallas Stars for veteran backup goaltender Dan Ellis.
TSN's Bob McKenzie first reported the trade. ESPN's Pierre LeBrun and Mike Heika of The Dallas Morning Newslater cited sources who confirmed the trade.
Thomas, who turns 40 in April, is 16-20-3 in his first season with the Panthers after taking a year off from the NHL. He will serve as a backup to the Stars' No. 1 goalie Kari Lehtonen. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner (2008-09 and 2010-11) won a Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011. He has produced 31 shutouts, a .920 save percentage and 2.51 goals-against average in 418 career regular-season games.
Ellis, who will play backup to Luongo in Florida, has amassed a .908 save percentage, 2.75 goals-against average and 14 shutouts in 198 appearances with Dallas, Nashville, Tampa Bay, Anaheim and Carolina.
