Tim Thomas is ready to return to the NHL. Just one problem -- general managers don't seem to care.

It's now three weeks into free agency and Thomas hasn't made much, if any, progress.

The 39-year-old goaltender, who, prior to the start of free agency, was said to be exploring his options for next season after taking a year off, is still available.

Three teams -- the Philadelphia Flyers, Florida Panthers and New York Islanders -- were originally rumoured to be interested in signing the 2011 Conn Smythe winner.

Yet, the Flyers have Ray Emery and Steve Mason as their two netminders to start the season, while the Islanders have Evgeni Nabokov and Kevin Poulin.

The Panthers, perhaps the most likely destination for Thomas, recently re-signed Jacob Markstrom to a two-year deal.

When Thomas last played, in 2011-12, he posted a 35-19-1 record with a 2.36 goals-against average and .920 save percentage.

What do you think will happen to Tim Thomas' career?

CAPS PROSPECT DIVULGES FUTURE PLANS

Evgeny Kuznetsov is giving the Washington Capitals another headache.

Kuznetsov, drafted 26th overall by Washington in the 2010 NHL draft, told Russian website Sovsport.ru he will probably jump ship at 30.

“I think I’ll return to Russia from NHL when I’m 30,” the 21-year-old said.

The Capitals have yet to see Kuznetsov skate for them since using a first round selection to obtain his rights. The crafty forward has played the last four seasons with the Kontinental Hockey League’s Traktor Chelyabinsk.

Two weeks ago, Capitals general manager George McPhee told ESPN.com the team did not expect Kuznetsov for the start of training camp this fall.

So, it appears the absolute best-case scenario for Washington – Kuznetsov arriving in North America for the 2014-15 season and playing his whole NHL career for the Capitals – is limited to eight years.

Last season in the KHL, Kuznetsov registered 44 points in 51 games.

HAWKS’ HANDZUS WILL BE READY FOR CAMP

Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Chicago Blackhawks should have forward Michal Handzus in the lineup on opening night.

The 36-year-old Slovak is nursing both his wrist and knee following surgery on each, but said doctors are confident he’ll be ready for training camp.

“Right now, wrist, I still can't do anything,” Handzus told ESPNChicago.com “It's in a cast for one more week. After four weeks, I'm going to start to do something. It's a little bit slower. My knee, it's pretty much I'm rehabbing right now.”

Handzus signed a one-year deal with the Blackhawks at the start of free agency. He came over April 1 from the San Jose Sharks.

A veteran of 950 NHL games, Handzus has tallied 467 career points for six teams.

GERBE: ‘I WANT TO PROVE EVERYBODY WRONG’

Look out, Buffalo: forward Nathan Gerbe has a chip on his shoulder.

Gerbe, the smallest player in the NHL last season at 5-foot-5, told the Raleigh News & Observer he is determined to stick it to the Sabres come fall.

Now with the Carolina Hurricanes, Gerbe’s final year in Buffalo – where he was slated to earn $1.85 milion – was bought out.

“I was a little shocked that happened,” Gerbe said. “Then it becomes something that drives you to work harder.

“I want to prove everyone wrong, and especially prove it to one team up north.”

Gerbe, 26, signed a one-year, $550,000 deal with the Hurricanes Friday.

BRIEFLY

Pittsburgh Penguins renewed its affiliation with the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers Saturday.