Tim Thomas Injury: Updates on Panthers Star's Status, Likely Return Date

Florida Panthers goaltender Tim Thomas has been placed on injured reserve and will not play on Friday or Sunday.

The team's official Twitter broke the news on Wednesday, citing head coach Kevin Dineen:

"

According to Dineen, Tim Thomas has been placed on IR and will not play Friday or Sunday. #FlaPanthers

— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) October 23, 2013"

Harvey Fialkov of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that the injury may be to Thomas' leg, and that 36-year-old veteran Scott Clemmensen has been promoted from the Panthers' AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage:

"

Thomas different injury (leg?), Clemmensen on the way from San Antonio #FlaPanthers

— Harvey Fialkov (@hfialkov) October 23, 2013"

It is worth noting that this injury appears unrelated to the pulled groin that plagued Thomas two weeks ago.

Clemmensen was just loaned to San Antonio this past Friday, but may get the opportunity to start between the pipes. In 11 years in the NHL, he has posted a respectable 2.74 goals-against average.      

This is nevertheless a sad development for the struggling Florida franchise. The Panthers were hoping to have Thomas provide some stability between the pipes, as they have just one playoff appearance since the 2000-01 season.

Thomas, the 2011 Conn Smythe Trophy winner, was signed to a one-year contract after going on hiatus last season, and has posted just a 2-3 record in six games with a 3.11 GAA this year, though he does have a .905 save percentage.

The 39-year-old Thomas has been sharing time with youngster Jacob Markstrom, who hasn't been much better, posting a mark of 1-3-1 in yielding 3.50 goals per contest.

Florida is 3-6-1 overall and in seventh place in the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division.