GM: Bruins don't expect Tim Thomas

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Boston Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli said Thursday he thinks Tim Thomas' plans to take the 2012-13 season off are definitive.

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During a teleconference to announce new deals for forwards Chris Kelly and Gregory Campbell, Chiarelli confirmed that he has learned through Thomas' agent, Bill Zito, that Thomas' decision is final.

"I haven't seen his infamous Facebook post. I'm aware of it. I've talked to his agent in the last little bit, and nothing's changed," Chiarelli said. "If you're asking me, 'Has he clarified that he's not playing for the year?' -- he's stated that through his agent that he's not playing for the year, so I guess that's where that stands. But nothing's really changed since the last time I spoke."

Chiarelli also acknowledged that Thomas' decision already has played a role in his approach to roster decisions and remains a consideration moving forward.

"As I said before when we talked about Tim, I'm operating under the premise that our goalies will be Tuukka (Rask) and Anton (Khudobin) because Tim won't be playing for us," Chiarelli said. "So I mean there's a whole -- I'm not going to tell you everything -- but there's a whole host of things that trickle down from that one event. So, yes -- short answer -- yes, it has had an impact."

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James Murphy

Bruins reporter, ESPNBoston.com

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• Covers Bruins for ESPNBoston.com
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