Is Tim Thomas Tradeable?
by Michael Taylor on Jan 26, 2012 1:00 PM EST
in Big Bad Bruins
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PrintEven as late as Sunday evening, when Scott Hartnell was finishing off a natural hat trick, and Tim Thomas was allowing 5 goals to a team that he usually dominates (that was missing 2 key forwards), the idea of trading Tim Thomas would have been unthinkable.
The American-born goalie who turned in a dominant performance to end Boston's cup drought. The underdog story for the ages, whose toughness seemed to fit right in with the Bruins physical style of play.
As of Sunday evening, for public relations reasons, a Tim Thomas trade this coming offseason when his NMC expires on July 1, 2012 would have been extremely difficult.
But for purely hockey reasons. A Tim Thomas trade this offseason, might make a ton of sense. Tuukka Rask has been a revelation this season, leading the NHL in save percentage at the All Star Break. Rask is also a restricted free agent this offseason, and age wise at 24, Rask fits right in with the core of the team. Could the Bruins simply decide to sign Rask at the going rate, and carry a $9m or so cap hit for a season until Thomas' current deal runs out? Most likely. But at the same time, you can only start one goalie in any given game, and generally speaking, come playoff time you can only play one guy, and in a salary cap world. $4-5m is a lot of money for opening a door and a little peace of mind.
Which takes us to the issue at hand: IF the Bruins decided to push forward with a trade, who would be interested, and what would he be worth?
This is by no means clear cut. We're coming off an offseason where one team signed a goaltender for 9 yrs/$51m, and another team was able to acquire a better goaltender for 1 yr and $1.5m. The same offseason saw Colorado give up its 1st rounder in 2012, for a goalie who apparently has lost his starting job.
There's also the troubling trend that in Thomas' last 8 starts, he's sporting a 2.88 GAA and a .907 sv %. Then there's the idea that It's tough to imagine that any team would look at the 37 year old Thomas with one year left on his contract as a long term solution in net.
At that point you're dealing with 2 sets of teams: teams that are looking for a short term solution in net (i.e. the last piece ot the puzzle to win a Cup) and cap floor teams (Thomas' salary cap hit is $5m next season, but his salary is only $3m) that are looking for just enough goaltending to possibly get them into the playoffs and generate some playoff series revenue.
In the first category, you'd find teams like Tampa Bay (despite their struggles this season), New Jersey (if Martin Brodeur retires), or even possibly Chicago. Teams that fit in the second category would be Florida, Phoenix, or Winnipeg.
Of course there are other options for the teams on that list. Tomas Vokoun is a UFA this offseason, and can be had for just money. With that sort of limited market, and the questions about Thomas' age and the lack of team control, it won't be as though the Bruins can request the Hedman, Yandle, Enstrom's of the world. That being said, it might not be the return in trade that the Bruins are looking for. As of right now, there are two very high profile (American!) UFA's that are hitting the market that would be incredible fits on this Bruins roster in Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. Would the Bruins make a run at one of those players and trade Thomas to make the cap work afterwards since Timmy can't be traded until July 1 without his consent anyway?
The next part of the equation is that off the ice, the Bruins aren't what they once were, having become very PR-conscious in recent years. The hiring of Cam Neely as team president; the switching of marketing firms, this is a team that not only wants to win, but wants to be considered at the forefront in the minds of New England sports fans. Chiarelli was quoted after Thomas skipped out on the White House as saying the following "I can require someone to attend a team event. If they don't, I can suspend him.
"I'm not suspending Tim. Whatever his position is, it isn't reflective of the Boston Bruins nor my own." But if the team was, as Neely and Chiarelli indicated, disappointed in Thomas' absence, and wanted to mitigate a potential PR nightmare in Boston (the fact that it's being talked about during the lead up to a Patriots Super Bowl is telling), and wanted to keep distractions at a minimum as the team defends the Stanley Cup, wouldn't they have required him to attend? The conspiracy theorist in me wonders if by isolating Thomas from the team on his decision, they may have intentionally brought a part of Thomas' personality to light, so in the (still) unlikely event they wanted to trade him for hockey reasons in the offseason, the public relations hit they'd have taken for pursuing such a deal (and getting what many fans will see as a paltry return) might be lowered.
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I can’t believe you want to trade Tim Thomas, he has a no trade clause for one. Also, if you’re doubting Tim go back and watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs all over again. Lastly, Rask let five goals in the last Bruins game as well.
by Eric B on Jan 26, 2012 1:04 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Assume Rask is looking for a long term contract this offseason. He’s a restricted free agent. Let’s assume that he signs for something like 3 years and $10 million. I think that’s extremely low, but let’s go with it for the moment. Is Boston going to commit an $8.33M cap hit to their goaltenders? And if the answer is yes, how do they keep Lucic, Horton, Seguin and Marchand, all of whom are hitting free agency in the next 2 years?
You can wax sentimental about the playoffs all you want, but it’s damn hard to keep Thomas and Rask and keep the rest of the core together. In choosing between Thomas and Rask, one has probably 10 years of top-flight goaltending left, and the other has 1 or 2. It’s not a difficult decision.
I’m all for keeping Thomas if they can save the money elsewhere, but I’m skeptical of that, especially given Peter Chiarelli’s penchant for overpaying secondary players. (The thought of paying Chris Kelly $3M per year gives me night sweats.)
I would bet a months salary that any deep run for the Bruins in the playoffs this season will be led by Tim Thomas.
by Eric B on Jan 26, 2012 1:16 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
If anything, this would represent the absolute best case scenario for the Bruins. They have another successful season, and Thomas’ value would stay high.
by Michael Taylor on Jan 26, 2012 1:19 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t see Kelly being around after contract ….. if so hope not at 3mil
HOCKEY TEMPER
by Losted125 on Jan 26, 2012 1:17 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Agreed. I am actually against re-signing Kelly at this point simply because we already have Peverley in that role and need somewhere for the kids to play.
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 1:18 PM EST up reply actions
I am vehemently against re-signing Kelly, and I don’t think it makes sense for them to do so. But I’m scared to death they will. There’s plenty of evidence to suggest they might.
I still remember the day Ference signed his extension. I think they’ve been immensely fortunate that deal has worked out for them.
Chris Kelly coming off an insanely high shooting % season as a UFA with at least one cup ring? Total Buy High Opportunity there.
by Michael Taylor on Jan 26, 2012 1:22 PM EST up reply actions
Yea, I too was vehemently against it but he has been worth the money thus far.
I thought Peverley got too much as well, which is why I definitely don’t want Kelly. I like what the guy brings but there are only so many people you can retain.
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 1:25 PM EST up reply actions
At $2.1M, with some talented and cheap kids not quite ready, I’m fine with Kelly, especially playing as well as he is. At $3M or more next season, when guys like Knight and Spooner probably ready for prime time, I am not.
At most Boston would want him as a stop-gap and I don’t see him willing to play that role (justifiably so)
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 1:28 PM EST up reply actions
hell I’d resign Poo before Kelly I think he would still be on the cheap side 1mil ? 1.5 ?
HOCKEY TEMPER
by Losted125 on Jan 26, 2012 1:23 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
I’m for re-signing Kelly, but am against how much PC will likely pay him.
Kick his ass, Seabass!
by phonymahoney on Jan 26, 2012 2:25 PM EST up reply actions
Given that Thomas is UFA after next season, I could see the Bruins offering Rask a mid-level 1-year deal with the understanding that he would be signed long-term after that season. I don’t know Rask’s mind but could see him taking a 1-yr, 3M tender with eyes on a big payday the following season.
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 1:17 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I question whether he’d go for that. Rask is 24 and doesn’t get UFA status until 27. I would think he’d want the next contract to take him through the rest of his RFA years. And if they say “well, we’ll pay you more for 1 year”, then the Bruins are just exacerbating the problem of a short term cap crunch.
True. It’s hard to judge. I expected him to demand/get more with his last contract so who am I to say what will happen.
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 1:24 PM EST up reply actions
He won’t take a 1 year deal. And offering him one is just BEGGING for Tampa to Offer Sheet him.
by Michael Taylor on Jan 26, 2012 1:24 PM EST up reply actions
They could offer-sheet him and then Boston would just match it.
Was going to say Boston would turn around and do the same to them but only decent RFA is Downie.
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 1:26 PM EST up reply actions
They definitely would match it, but at the same time, say Tampa gives Rask $6m. The compensation for that is a 1st, 2nd, and a 3rd in 2013 ….and Tampa would likely be filthy. That’s not a good return for Tuukka Rask, and matching the offer sheet would have them committing $11m to goaltenders for a year.
by Michael Taylor on Jan 26, 2012 2:10 PM EST up reply actions
that being said …. I am all for getting what’s best for the team so hopefully Timmy goes back into beast mode and pulls some magic again this post season
HOCKEY TEMPER
by Losted125 on Jan 26, 2012 1:20 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
You suggest they would be committing say around $8.33 million to goalies, but that would only be for next year am I right? If I remember correctly, Thomas’ contract would expire after next season. So we could hope he’d take a lesser contract to stay a Bruin and also because of his age and inevitable move to a backup position to Rask. Then come time for guys like Seguin and Marchand to resign, we’d have a smaller cap hit coming from goalies once again.
That, of course, is assuming Boston can absorb the higher cap hit next season. The cap may go down after all.
And frankly, I am not sure I see Thomas taking a serious paycut… if he plays well next season he will want to remain a starter. After all, he still needs a couple more good years to cement his Hall candidacy.
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 27, 2012 10:57 AM EST up reply actions
Of course. I mean I think its definitely more of a possibility for the Bruins to be able to deal with the cap hit next season(certainly not after) but the new cba will definitely be a factor.
lets face it, Thomas is a great goalie but he’s not playing as many games as guys like Price, Quick, etc. I think Rask will begin making the move to the Bruins starter in the next 2 seasons, so while Thomas could still easily play 30-40 games, he wont be worth 5 million and he knows that.
I don’t go so far as to presume what he does and does not know/think.
If he ends next season with a 2.20 GAA and .920 save percentage in 40-50 games I would expect him to want to remain a starter, and really who could blame him for that? Why stick around in Boston as a backup? It would hurt his chances at the Hall while also costing him money. It’s a lose-lose situation for him.
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 27, 2012 11:16 AM EST up reply actions
My point is, while those would be good stats, playing 40-50 games doesn’t make him worth 5 million, at least not in my opinion. Him not being a workhorse goalie and being up there in age, I just don’t think he can make that much. I don’t know what he thinks sure, maybe he’ll want to stick around in Boston and be on a very competitive team. Maybe he cares about getting into the hall, maybe not. I like to think players don’t go about their careers thinking, “hmmm, what can I do this year to improve my chances of getting into the hall of fame?”
The cap may go down after all.
They say this every year and it almost always at least goes up.
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jan 27, 2012 12:34 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, but the past years they weren’t renegotiating the CBA either…
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 27, 2012 12:40 PM EST up reply actions
Fair point.
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Hockey Blog Adventure is my blog but I'm way more active on Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jan 27, 2012 1:39 PM EST up reply actions
Interesting, I don’t think I wrote that I wanted to trade Tim Thomas, just that I can view hockey related reasons for dealing him.
Second, I acknowledged the NTC (twice), it expires on 7/1/2012.
Lastly, Rask only allowed 4 goals last game. The 5th goal was an ENG.
by Michael Taylor on Jan 26, 2012 1:15 PM EST up reply actions
Tuukka let in 4. One was an empty netter… but that’s beside the point.
People have been talking about moving either of the goalies for a while now, since we have two more than capable #1s – obviously the recent Timmy issue is causing people to discuss it more, but it’s always been the elephant in the room. Tuukka’s contract is up at the end of the season, and it makes more sense to keep the superhuman young guy than the superhuman old guy.
I don’t want to trade either of them, but something’s gotta give.
Kick his ass, Seabass!
by phonymahoney on Jan 26, 2012 2:22 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
let’s run him out of town yeah ! that will show him ……. if that happens hope it comes to bite us in the ass
HOCKEY TEMPER
by Losted125 on Jan 26, 2012 1:14 PM EST via Android app reply actions
It’s already been tried before…
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 1:19 PM EST up reply actions
it's like fast food and christianity
i love Chik Fil A. i mean, I LOVE IT. but damned if eating there doesn’t support things that i find socially deplorable.
part of me doesn’t care about any of this, but the other, angrier part of me is pissed that i know about it at all. and you can blame the organization about that until the cows come home, but TT was the guy who went on facebook and spelled it out. he could have not said anything. it almost suggests to me that he’s divorcing himself from the team more than the team is setting us all up to soften the blow.
by wobblesmith on Jan 26, 2012 1:20 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
i should have said
fundamentalist christianity. not trying to lump most people in with those martians.
he is not doing anything to the team. Just expressing his opinions.
Athletes SHOULD express their opinions and speak out. Anyone against this is shutting them up, censoring them, and being a bad fan. Just my opinion, though.
Waffles, Digimon, SETOGUCHI
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by YeahTommyB4ZGermansGetThere on Jan 26, 2012 1:23 PM EST up reply actions
Express your opinons. Perfectly fine.
Missing out on a team event and causing the biggest possible distraction in order to do so? Probably not a good idea.
by Michael Taylor on Jan 26, 2012 1:25 PM EST up reply actions
Heck yeah, please trade him to san jose
You don’t like him anymore anyway after a 2 paragraph well thought out statement right?
We’ll give you niittymaki, S.J. Sharkie, Ryane Clowe, and our star player, Post, an all star talent who has put the team on his/her/its back since the beginning of the season.
HAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Waffles, Digimon, SETOGUCHI
STALOCK GET A ROBOT LEG OR SOMETHING AND COME BACK~WE NEED SOME LOCK STOCK STALOCK HERE!!
Like manga, sci fi, webcomics, and Metaphorical Bazookas? Check out http://firework.the-comic.org!
Defense wins games, championships, and my heart, as in the case of Avery Bradley, Jr., Boston Celtics guard #0
by YeahTommyB4ZGermansGetThere on Jan 26, 2012 1:22 PM EST reply actions
We already sent your all star player Thornton packing years ago.
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by Dave Carignan on Jan 26, 2012 1:23 PM EST up reply actions
SEE HOW WELL IT WORKED OUT???
TRADE HIM I’LL HAVE MY DAD DRIVE HIM OVER MYSELF
/sarcasm
Waffles, Digimon, SETOGUCHI
STALOCK GET A ROBOT LEG OR SOMETHING AND COME BACK~WE NEED SOME LOCK STOCK STALOCK HERE!!
Like manga, sci fi, webcomics, and Metaphorical Bazookas? Check out http://firework.the-comic.org!
Defense wins games, championships, and my heart, as in the case of Avery Bradley, Jr., Boston Celtics guard #0
by YeahTommyB4ZGermansGetThere on Jan 26, 2012 1:25 PM EST up reply actions
jumbo Joe lol ….. I always wonder how he would do if had stayed in Boston
HOCKEY TEMPER
by Losted125 on Jan 26, 2012 1:26 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
I think I’m the only one who didn’t love Joe Thornton. Didn’t hate him, but was never really a fan.
Kick his ass, Seabass!
by phonymahoney on Jan 26, 2012 2:35 PM EST up reply actions
Agree with you there. Just a bigger Kessel who takes face-offs. We’ve seen what his leadership skills would get you, and that’s with a dominant team — zip, nada, nothing.
Now now
Just a bigger Kessel who takes face-offs
That’s a low blow. At least he likes to fuck with the Sedins
by TomServo42 on Jan 26, 2012 3:57 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
Just goes to show that all former Bruins maintain some redeeming values. Well, except for Chris Nilan and McSorley.
HEY -
That was a Canuck and former Hab McSorley beat up.
NO… I am not condoning it at all… just pointing out a fact.
Kick his ass, Seabass!
by phonymahoney on Jan 26, 2012 8:04 PM EST up reply actions
gif is aces
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Hockey Blog Adventure is my blog but I'm way more active on Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jan 26, 2012 4:15 PM EST up reply actions
AWESOME!!!!
That redeems Thornton in my view a little… :)
Probably depends on a lot on whether he would have been cool relinquishing the captaincy to Chara.
Chara, Thornton > Chara, Savard
by Michael Taylor on Jan 26, 2012 3:54 PM EST up reply actions
Could we have afforded both? I’m not so certain…
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 3:56 PM EST up reply actions
Thornton’s cap hit at the time was 6.67 I believe. (3yr 20m), Savard’s cap hit was 4yr 20m.
I’m fairly certain they could have found 1.67 in cap space somewhere else.
by Michael Taylor on Jan 26, 2012 4:05 PM EST up reply actions
Like the name btw… excellent reference
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 1:27 PM EST up reply actions
Can we please shut the hell up about the White House thing?
WHY ARE YOU STILL TALKING ABOUT IT???
It barely even references the White House deal… its just a legitimate assessment of the situation. Frankly, such assessments of the teams players aren’t done enough
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 1:29 PM EST up reply actions
okay, regardless of the white house declination, it's still stupid to trade him
what are you THINKING?? oh wait most people in this thread dont want him traded
Waffles, Digimon, SETOGUCHI
STALOCK GET A ROBOT LEG OR SOMETHING AND COME BACK~WE NEED SOME LOCK STOCK STALOCK HERE!!
Like manga, sci fi, webcomics, and Metaphorical Bazookas? Check out http://firework.the-comic.org!
Defense wins games, championships, and my heart, as in the case of Avery Bradley, Jr., Boston Celtics guard #0
by YeahTommyB4ZGermansGetThere on Jan 26, 2012 1:34 PM EST up reply actions
Wanting and needing are two very different things.
As someone else said, you can’t be sentimental when dealing with asset management. If you keep Thomas at the expense of Rask you set the franchise back YEARS and waste the prime of your stars (Bergeron, Seguin, Lucic) looking for another top-flight goalie.
Frankly, if Boston sticks with Thomas at the expense of Rask they risk becoming the Flyers.
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 1:36 PM EST up reply actions
Frankly, if Boston sticks with Thomas at the expense of Rask they risk becoming the Flyers.
This would be HUMONGUS BEEG mistake.
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Kick his ass, Seabass!
by phonymahoney on Jan 26, 2012 3:30 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t want him traded I think he would be a good fall back if rask was to get hurt unfortunately that contract we signed him to sucks ….. so as much as I don’t want him gone if we can get great return do it
HOCKEY TEMPER
by Losted125 on Jan 26, 2012 1:37 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
as long as it's not a stupid fallout of his words
It would be weird to see him in another uniform for me, unless it’s teal
Waffles, Digimon, SETOGUCHI
STALOCK GET A ROBOT LEG OR SOMETHING AND COME BACK~WE NEED SOME LOCK STOCK STALOCK HERE!!
Like manga, sci fi, webcomics, and Metaphorical Bazookas? Check out http://firework.the-comic.org!
Defense wins games, championships, and my heart, as in the case of Avery Bradley, Jr., Boston Celtics guard #0
by YeahTommyB4ZGermansGetThere on Jan 26, 2012 1:38 PM EST up reply actions
It wouldn’t be because of that. It might play a part in it but it would be small.
I would wager this article is something that Taylor here has been working on for a whiles or at least considering. The thoughts expressed make sense and have nothing to do with the current situation really.
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 1:40 PM EST up reply actions
it shouldn't "play a part" in it at all.
:(((((((((( okay ill stop talking about it
Waffles, Digimon, SETOGUCHI
STALOCK GET A ROBOT LEG OR SOMETHING AND COME BACK~WE NEED SOME LOCK STOCK STALOCK HERE!!
Like manga, sci fi, webcomics, and Metaphorical Bazookas? Check out http://firework.the-comic.org!
Defense wins games, championships, and my heart, as in the case of Avery Bradley, Jr., Boston Celtics guard #0
by YeahTommyB4ZGermansGetThere on Jan 26, 2012 1:40 PM EST up reply actions
PR will always play a part in everything.
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 1:42 PM EST up reply actions
athletes are people who can and should express their opinions, political, personal, whatever.
and they shouldn’t be made to go against their beliefs for good pr. :(
Waffles, Digimon, SETOGUCHI
STALOCK GET A ROBOT LEG OR SOMETHING AND COME BACK~WE NEED SOME LOCK STOCK STALOCK HERE!!
Like manga, sci fi, webcomics, and Metaphorical Bazookas? Check out http://firework.the-comic.org!
Defense wins games, championships, and my heart, as in the case of Avery Bradley, Jr., Boston Celtics guard #0
by YeahTommyB4ZGermansGetThere on Jan 26, 2012 1:42 PM EST up reply actions
it's censorship.
if i was a boston bruins goalie, i would express my beliefs too.
Waffles, Digimon, SETOGUCHI
STALOCK GET A ROBOT LEG OR SOMETHING AND COME BACK~WE NEED SOME LOCK STOCK STALOCK HERE!!
Like manga, sci fi, webcomics, and Metaphorical Bazookas? Check out http://firework.the-comic.org!
Defense wins games, championships, and my heart, as in the case of Avery Bradley, Jr., Boston Celtics guard #0
by YeahTommyB4ZGermansGetThere on Jan 26, 2012 1:45 PM EST up reply actions
I have no beef with his actions. I was one of his staunchest defenders in fact.
I’m just saying it’s naive to think that his actions won’t impact offseason decisions in any way.
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 1:46 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
somehow I think what he did was really small.
I’m probably a lot less traditional. Refusing to go somewhere. Posting something on facebook. Now if he’d insulted someone, or gone to the white house and smashed something, that would be different.
But this is nothing. Athletes should talk about everything. Maybe I’m a naiive idiot who thinks steroid abuse, guns in lockers, homophobia/don’t ask don’t tell, players mental/drug problems, and former sexual abuse in professional sports are/were all caused by one thing: athletes are expected to keep quiet. They’re men; men don’t speak out on teams.
Please. Maybe keeping quiet about important crap keeps the facade and gives you a couple of photo ops but it doesn’t solve problems. If someone speaks out against homophobia in Qatar where the World Cup will be held, should they have shut up?
I’m not speaking about Thomas directly, just the idea that being a public figure means you need to shut up for the sake of sponsorships/fans/team brands.
Waffles, Digimon, SETOGUCHI
STALOCK GET A ROBOT LEG OR SOMETHING AND COME BACK~WE NEED SOME LOCK STOCK STALOCK HERE!!
Like manga, sci fi, webcomics, and Metaphorical Bazookas? Check out http://firework.the-comic.org!
Defense wins games, championships, and my heart, as in the case of Avery Bradley, Jr., Boston Celtics guard #0
by YeahTommyB4ZGermansGetThere on Jan 26, 2012 2:19 PM EST up reply actions
I’m not speaking about Thomas directly
it appears that you are?
Kick his ass, Seabass!
by phonymahoney on Jan 26, 2012 3:32 PM EST up reply actions
Exactly right. The team may have had thoughts of trading Thomas for on-ice reasons for quite some time, hence his NTC expiring with a smaller salary than cap-hit this offseason.
It’s not that this incident makes them want to TRADE him more, it might make it easier to absorb the PR hit, which given the comments on here, is still going to be humangous big.
by Michael Taylor on Jan 26, 2012 2:14 PM EST up reply actions
its easy you get use to it seeing players you liked on other teams ….. boyes … sobie… Stuart lol
HOCKEY TEMPER
by Losted125 on Jan 26, 2012 1:44 PM EST via Android app up reply actions 1 recs
Blake Wheeler, Andrew Raycroft, et al.
Kick his ass, Seabass!
by phonymahoney on Jan 26, 2012 3:34 PM EST up reply actions
You liked Sobotka??
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 1:47 PM EST up reply actions
nuttin wrong with the guy… EXCEPT FOR LINE CHANGES!
by TomServo42 on Jan 26, 2012 1:47 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
one line change. one.
Your 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins
Hockey Blog Adventure is my blog but I'm way more active on Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jan 26, 2012 4:17 PM EST up reply actions
fucking loved the kid , loved his play kinda reminds me of marsh just wasn’t up to the scoring point he was …..
HOCKEY TEMPER
by Losted125 on Jan 26, 2012 1:52 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
yup, kid played HARD
Kick his ass, Seabass!
by phonymahoney on Jan 26, 2012 3:35 PM EST up reply actions
more of a cannonball than paille, though.
but i like paella bettar.
Kick his ass, Seabass!
by phonymahoney on Jan 26, 2012 8:05 PM EST up reply actions
My wife hates you right now.
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 1:49 PM EST up reply actions
love my vladdy stick and helmet lol
HOCKEY TEMPER
by Losted125 on Jan 26, 2012 1:54 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
on a side note ….. could someone who follows understands the AHL / minor leagues do a post explaining everything and how some players are shared between teams etc etc and what happens once a team switchs from one AHL team to an other ….. I’ve always been lost when it came to this :(
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by Losted125 on Jan 26, 2012 2:18 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
yeah, me too
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by YeahTommyB4ZGermansGetThere on Jan 26, 2012 2:22 PM EST up reply actions
when teams switch affiliates, alllllll their players owned by the NHL club go to the new team. So like when the springfield falcons were the baby oilers, and they switched their affiliation to the oklahoma city barons, all the players on edmonton contracts became barons.
and then CBJ affiliated with springfield, so all the CBJ minor leaguers became Falcons. Basically, AHL players under NHL contract go wherever the AHL affiliate is.
basically: don’t get attached to players on AHL teams. Odds are they will not be there next year. :D
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by sarahconnors on Jan 26, 2012 4:45 PM EST up reply actions
Thank your Sarah I knew I could count on you haha
ok other question…..what the hell is the ECHL then? just a minor minor league for the AHL? I don’t understand that and how we have a affliation with reading but so does Toronto?
HOCKEY TEMPER
yes.
used to be affiliated with the greenville grrrowl, and hershey, too. two teams can have the same affiliate.
Kick his ass, Seabass!
by phonymahoney on Jan 26, 2012 8:07 PM EST up reply actions
who couldn’t love bitzy?
Kick his ass, Seabass!
by phonymahoney on Jan 26, 2012 3:35 PM EST up reply actions
This isn’t Montreal.
Kick his ass, Seabass!
by phonymahoney on Jan 26, 2012 3:30 PM EST up reply actions
Not necessarily stupid. We have Timmy and Tuukka, and we have to figure out a way to pay them both, as well as the other free agents. How hard is that to understand?
Kick his ass, Seabass!
by phonymahoney on Jan 26, 2012 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
I dont know got to nuke something
HOCKEY TEMPER
by Losted125 on Jan 26, 2012 1:30 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Perfectly fine with this move in the off season. Not for political reasons, for cap reasons. Can’t be too sentimental with asset management.
And Michael, I think you’re dead on with the assessment of the PR situation, and the fact that the Boston media, particularly the Globe, is still pushing this hard backs that up in my mind
by TomServo42 on Jan 26, 2012 1:28 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
btw, to continue a thought, his contract was designed to have a trade option as an out for the team in the final season. Seems to me that Chia’s has some strategy to his contract juggling
Given that I blasted him for the contract at the time, it would appear to be the case.
I just remember them saying they signed him specifically to avoid the 35+ limitations when it still met that.
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by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 1:41 PM EST up reply actions
Someone on twitter last night pointed out that Anton Khudobin has a 1-way contract starting next season, though it’s possible they just did that so he wouldn’t take off to the KHL. Something to think about.
One way contract just means he gets paid the same in the AHL and NHL. It doesn’t mean that he can’t play in the AHL.
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And has to clear waivers if going between, correct?
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by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 1:31 PM EST up reply actions
That depends on how much he makes in the NHL
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jan 26, 2012 4:18 PM EST up reply actions
They’re certainly greasing the PR skids for this, aren’t they? The cynical side of me wants to spout off about how the front office knew what the backlash would be if they handled the situation in this way, thus when they go to trade their Conn Smythe/Vezina winning All-Star goaltender in the off-season they can remind everyone how much he distracted everyone during the season…but I won’t (though doesn’t that Fluto article sound very…Henrican or Lucchinianan in it’s tossing of Tim under several Greyhounds?)
So go ahead, trade him, and ride Tuukka, he can handle it…but don’t expect Dobie to be as competent a backup as you’d like, and be very, very careful what you wish for.
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by Arenacale on Jan 26, 2012 1:35 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
well, yeah. This makes me feel ugh
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by YeahTommyB4ZGermansGetThere on Jan 26, 2012 1:39 PM EST up reply actions
I need my Tim foil hat for this
HOCKEY TEMPER
by Losted125 on Jan 26, 2012 1:40 PM EST via Android app up reply actions 3 recs
Also: Elvis and Michael Jackson are not dead, they needed cover to go pursue their true callings as enforcers in the LNAH.
In Memoriam: Dan Wheldon 1978-2011
and tupac is living in cuba
Waffles, Digimon, SETOGUCHI
STALOCK GET A ROBOT LEG OR SOMETHING AND COME BACK~WE NEED SOME LOCK STOCK STALOCK HERE!!
Like manga, sci fi, webcomics, and Metaphorical Bazookas? Check out http://firework.the-comic.org!
Defense wins games, championships, and my heart, as in the case of Avery Bradley, Jr., Boston Celtics guard #0
by YeahTommyB4ZGermansGetThere on Jan 26, 2012 1:43 PM EST up reply actions
there are hilarious videos about it on youtube
Waffles, Digimon, SETOGUCHI
STALOCK GET A ROBOT LEG OR SOMETHING AND COME BACK~WE NEED SOME LOCK STOCK STALOCK HERE!!
Like manga, sci fi, webcomics, and Metaphorical Bazookas? Check out http://firework.the-comic.org!
Defense wins games, championships, and my heart, as in the case of Avery Bradley, Jr., Boston Celtics guard #0
by YeahTommyB4ZGermansGetThere on Jan 26, 2012 1:44 PM EST up reply actions
Elvis just went back home
HOCKEY TEMPER
by Losted125 on Jan 26, 2012 1:46 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
yeah any time the “trade rask” “trade thomas” rumors start I tell people to go to providence and watch khudobin play. not quuuuite ready.
But Rask IS ready to be a starter and you can’t afford both.
If you have to go out and grab a Niity or Biron for 1-3M then you do that for your backup.
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 1:48 PM EST up reply actions
He may have been tainted by the Canadiens…
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 2:01 PM EST up reply actions
NO NO NO HE DEFINITELY IS NOT.
we’d need a backup goaltender as part of a return on a trade, for sure.
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by sarahconnors on Jan 26, 2012 1:50 PM EST up reply actions
Can we tell for certain whether that’s Khudobin or the Providence defense at this point though?
I haven’t been able to keep up with the Baby B’s this year. For example, how long has Ryan Button been in Reading?
by Michael Taylor on Jan 26, 2012 2:13 PM EST up reply actions
Let us also not forget that Rask fared poorly in Providence. Had 2.33, .905 followed by 2.50, .915 in his two seasons.
Statistically speaking, Khobudin has owned Rask (2.40, .920 and 2.63, .919)
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 2:20 PM EST up reply actions
I think I’d be comfortable with 20 starts from Khudobin with the following alignment in front of him
Chara-Seidenberg
Suter-McQuaid
Ference-Hamilton
The one thing that terrifies me about this roster is Chara getting injured. It’s the only injury I don’t think they can survive.
If you had Suter you could survive an injury to Chara.
by Michael Taylor on Jan 26, 2012 2:24 PM EST up reply actions
Frankly, I don’t like the idea of giving any goalie 60 starts. I think the 50-55 range is perfection.
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 2:26 PM EST up reply actions
sorry, i’ve gotta contact my physician. my response to those D pairings doesn’t seem to be going away…
by TomServo42 on Jan 26, 2012 2:32 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Those D pairings …and not what happened at the White House are my motivation for trading Tim Thomas.
The only question I was raising was did what happened damage Timmy’s Q-Score in the city enough that they might take a crack at it, PR hit be damned.
by Michael Taylor on Jan 26, 2012 2:44 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I believe the commercial refers to it as “priapism”.
Kick his ass, Seabass!
by phonymahoney on Jan 26, 2012 3:44 PM EST up reply actions
Button keeps getting sick. I think he had mono at one point. He’s been down in reading for 10-15 games now.
I would really like to see how Dobby does behind a good defense — although, Nathan McIver just returned from injury = significant upgrade to the d corps in providence, and they’ve won 4 of their last 5 in front of Khudobin. So we’ll have to see, going forward.
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by sarahconnors on Jan 26, 2012 4:47 PM EST up reply actions
Completely unrelated
“Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak admitted he used to drink with Vanna White while filming
NICE!
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by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 1:55 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I think Thomas should have gone, but in all honesty, I don’t care that much. The guy is a world class, Vezina Conn Smythe Stanley Cup goalie. Yup, let’s trade him because he didn’t go to the white house instead of trying to win hockey games with one of the top goalies of the era. Makes sense.
People are making too big of a deal. Thomas handled this wrong. But if he is such a cancer, how come we never heard about this before and it is a story now? Seems to me people are digging. He’s a great goalie, let’s leave it at that.
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by Marisa Ingemi on Jan 26, 2012 2:13 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Did you read what he wrote? Not due to his comments and not going, but due to the two-goalies-and-tuuka’s-contract situation.
Kick his ass, Seabass!
by phonymahoney on Jan 26, 2012 3:45 PM EST up reply actions
was there any talk of this before this issue?
no, no there was not.
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by Marisa Ingemi on Jan 26, 2012 4:50 PM EST up reply actions
actually, it had been discussed during the Rask trade talk earlier in the year now that you come to mention it.
regardless, MT makes a valid point about the team’s manipulation of PR around a roster move, and this makes as good a prompt as any to evaluate and discuss said move
Agreed.
The topic would have been equally valid two weeks ago.
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by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 5:04 PM EST up reply actions
Yes there was. Have you even been around?
Kick his ass, Seabass!
by phonymahoney on Jan 26, 2012 8:07 PM EST up reply actions
Limited market?
I think the market is bigger than you imagine. I don’t think the cap hit is going to scare off too many teams. Adding a two-time Vezina winner who is still performing at the top of the league is usually a good move for a team to make.
Especially with only a year left.
The only issue would be if his play seriously falters down the stretch.
And yes, I am knocking on wood and typed that with crossed fingers and toes.
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 2:34 PM EST up reply actions
One year cuts both ways though. Pretty much eliminates non-contenders, since he’d be an FA before they really needed him.
Also, I think we overestimate how many teams need goaltending help. I can think of 10-12 at least that wouldn’t add a $5m cap hit to upgrade their current goaltending situation, and probably 5-6 more that made significant investments in the position only a year ago.
by Michael Taylor on Jan 26, 2012 2:42 PM EST up reply actions
Very true. It’s a hard market to gauge. All depends on how much longer he wants to keep playing and how the offseason plays out.
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by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 2:45 PM EST up reply actions
Well, they would have the inside track to re-sign him, right?
So, half the teams wouldn’t take him. That means we could still have 12-15 teams bidding for him.
I think the realistic trade market for Thomas is FLA, TB, NJ, WPG, PHX, CHI, OTT, TOR. How much of a bidding war touches off probably depends on how Thomas ends his season. If this past 8 game stretch is just a glitch, then you might be able to get back a few interesting pieces. If it turns out this is the norm or he’s injured and hiding it like ‘09-’10, then it will be less.
I meant it more as though, he’ll bring back something of value, but it might not be the kind of value the average fan thinks. I’d love to hear the 98.5 Trade Proposals if he goes on the market. Thomas for Yandle, but only if PHX adds their 1st.
by Michael Taylor on Jan 26, 2012 2:56 PM EST up reply actions
Not sure I buy Florida, not when they love Jacob Markstrom. Washington could be a destination, however, if they can’t resign Vokoun.
I took Markstrom into consideration, wouldn’t be the worst thing for him to get 30-35 starts behind Thomas for a year.
by Michael Taylor on Jan 26, 2012 3:36 PM EST up reply actions
Ok, gotcha. Thomas for Duncan Keith straight up, then?
I underestimated the number of long-term and high-dollar contracts out there for goaltenders. I might add Colorado, Columbus, Dallas, Edmonton, and Washington to the list, though. And hey, it only takes two suitors to have a bidding war!
Colorado is unlikely, they stupidly just traded their 1st, which will now be high, for Varlamov.
Columbus was one of my initial thoughts, but they’re way above the cap floor, and even Thomas isn’t going to help them contend next year.
Washington is a possibility if Vokoun doesn’t re-sign, but then, Vokoun would probably be eliminating another possibility.
I don’t see Edmonton or Dallas thinking 1 year of goaltending as the difference maker, and I don’t think there’s going to be a big market for the inside track of signing a goalie nearing 40.
by Michael Taylor on Jan 26, 2012 3:47 PM EST up reply actions
If Thomas is still in Black and Gold in October and plays well (presumably in a backup role), it’s tough to imagine next year’s Ottawa – a team with offensively skilled young talent that’s reluctant on the defensive end but wants to give its roster some playoff experience at whatever cost – passing on a chance to get him. He won’t have much tread on the tires (true backups play around 15 games by the trade deadline) and would be able to provide a veteran, if not stabilizing, presence to the room.
That said, I’m not sure it’s in PC’s best interest to wait that long to pull the trigger. Best case: hope Thomas has a killer second half, carries the team through the playoffs and then trade him for a franchise-rebuilding (without the actual rebuild part) $3 on the dollar.
Don’t believe it’s possible? See Kessel, Phil and Burke, Brian. Also, see Kaberle, Tomas and Burke, Brian.
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Offseason it will be. Because he’s a 35+, I don’t think they wait until he has a chance to injure himself to make a deal if they’re going to deal him.
I should know better than to say or even think Suter though. It’s like I didn’t learn from my Yandle phase.
by Michael Taylor on Jan 26, 2012 3:43 PM EST up reply actions
As a Leaf fan, I’d almost want Thomas, if only because this ‘Isle of Misfit Toys’ thing we’ve got going on (e.g. Kessel, Grabovski, Phaneuf) hasn’t worked half bad for us.
That said, Thomas is the best goalie in the NHL. Nothing short of all the tea in China will be required to deal him.
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by FiftyMissionCap on Jan 26, 2012 4:32 PM EST up reply actions
Not Trolling
Thomas isn’t the best goaltender on his own team at present, why are we still calling him the best in the league?
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I understand your thoughts. Tuukka has great numbers, has had great numbers. Agreed. The goal is to win Cups. In his one playoff experience, we collapsed. Sure mitigating circumstances, if you will, his 1st appearance, injuries, if your comfortable with that. But you need just that one win. Ultimately, do you have complete and utter confidence that at this stage Tuukka can do that? Do I have to recite Timmy’s last three years? There is a downturn now, but I think this is a team regression, more than our goalies regression. I mean our defensive structure has sucked of late. So to now assume that Timmy’s on ice play is any less than what it has been is misplaced. Timmy has proven, 3 times last year alone, that he will win that one game.
Thomas is the best goalie in the NHL
i would say that losing Krejci, having a sitll half-speed Bergeron, 1/4 of a Savard, Begin and Whitfield up the middle was what lost that Voldemort series. And frankly that team would have been massacred by Chicago
of course, in saying that, you’re suggesting that they’d have survived Montreal, which is a pretty big jump in and of itself.
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by Ryan Durling on Jan 26, 2012 5:07 PM EST up reply actions
Servo, that’s why I said, “injuries, if you[r’e] comfortable with that.” I, too, believe they played a factor, but I personally find injuries to be an unacceptable excuse. Additionally, I hate rehashing that whole scenario.
it’s a pretty good excuse (better than hanging it on goaltending anyhow) when you have zero depth at a position and lose the roster players you have. Thankfully lessons were learned
No, please don’t misunderstand, I’m not trying to lay it all on Tuukka. I’m a “win as a team, lose as a team” kinda guy. And, I believe, the team and Tuukka are much better as a unit now than they ever have been. But even at the beginning of this year many of us still had that apprehension that the team did not score enough while he was in the net for him, and the Bs, to be successful.
Thankfully lessons were learned
And for this we are eternally grateful. Well except in Thomas’ case.
...?
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by Arenacale on Jan 26, 2012 5:17 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
rec
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jan 27, 2012 10:09 AM EST up reply actions
I call him the best in the league because it sure as hell beats crediting a Ranger for doing anything.
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by Kevin Sellathamby on Jan 27, 2012 9:57 AM EST up reply actions
LOL
17 games of Thomas-like numbers from Tuukka Rask is enough to compel you to make such a bold statement???
Thomas is simply incredible. His total GAA and S% over the past 3+ (!!!!!!) years is RIDICULOUS, only bested by a 25 game playoff run where he carried a team on his back to WIN the stanley cup. What more can the man do?
Rask? give me a break
So the 40 games Rask had 2 seasons ago where he put up a sub 2.00 GAA and .931 Sv.% don’t count? He’s played nearly 100 NHL games at this point.
Rask’s career totals are 2.17 and .928 …and he’s 24. Thomas’s SV% over the same time period is .930. That’s not an earth shattering difference. Also, the question we’re trying to answer is who is going to better next season, when Rask will be 25 and Thomas will be nearing 38.
And again, no one’s advocating to just kick Tim Thomas to the curb. The idea behind a trade would be, you can significantly upgrade the team at another position, and you want to use the cap space next year to do so. If nothing is out there that can fit, then by all means, you keep both goalies.
by Michael Taylor on Jan 27, 2012 10:21 AM EST up reply actions
The other idea is that if you don’t trade Thomas, you are probably going to let him walk/retire after next season since the franchise has to transition over to Tuukka.
Doesn’t it make more sense to get something in return for an asset rather than letting him simply walk away? If you absolutely, positively knew Lucic, Seguin or Marchand would refuse to re-sign with Boston after next season wouldn’t it make sense to trade them in the offseason to get something for them?
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by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 27, 2012 10:27 AM EST up reply actions
da play-offs:
Rask: 13 games, 2.61 GAA, .910 sv%
Thomas: 7 games, 2.65, .914
11 games, 1.85, .935
25 gmaes, 1.95, .940
So in Thomas’ first playoff appearance he put up numbers similar to Rask’s first playoff appearance, and the talent level in front of them was roughly similar. Why do you automatically assume that Rask will trend towards those numbers going forward, when Thomas didn’t?
And the second 2 sets of numbers were the year the Bruins were the 2nd best team in the league, and their Stanley Cup year.
by Michael Taylor on Jan 27, 2012 3:00 PM EST up reply actions
In case inquiring minds want to know. I’m not some nut job repuglican hiding any affiliation. My politics are pretty far left, something of a European socialist, if I have to label myself, and believe all politics should remain outside the spoked B. Now we have these attention whores invading our space. NHL.com has three headlines in the sidebar refering to Gov. Patrick’s sentiments. How long before we hear Newt and Mitt argue over Thomas’ rights as an Amurcan?
agreed, Mike. but this isn’t a discussion about politics, it’s about Thomas’ value as a trade piece.
To answer your question, I don’t think we’ll see anything of that sort – Romney and Gingrich are too busy bashing each other on the head to ever pay attention to anyone or anything else.
Managing Editor, Stanley Cup of Chowder
Follow me on Twitter @Ryan_Durling. Or don't. It's a free country.
it’s about Thomas’ value as a trade piece.
That’s where I am going, Thomas is the best goalie in the NHL. He is what I would call Invaluable to any team including his current one. My political admission is an aside and outside any thread. I hope I’m not coming across as a dick.
Now to see if I can correctly use the Blockquote.
not at all, dude. just clarifying – I know a lot of ink has been spilled on Thomas and political shit lately, and I just wanted to be sure that that’s not something that we’re taking a stance on, compelling though it may be. red, blue, purple, electric green…whatever color you are, we love you at Cup of Chowder.
…I smell a new banner.
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by Ryan Durling on Jan 26, 2012 5:44 PM EST up reply actions
….except blue and white folks like me of course. :D
(Though I’m dating a Bruins fan, so I guess I’ve got that connection. Though that has not made our four games a fun event for me….)
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by FiftyMissionCap on Jan 26, 2012 6:28 PM EST up reply actions
You must be special...
Someone is breaking the rules for you!!!
by Toocomplex4most on Jan 26, 2012 7:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Thomas was the best goalie in the NHL…last year and in 08-09. This year and the year prior to the Cup winning season, he wasn’t the best goalie on his own team. He won 3 game 7’s last year, and lost 2 in the season’s prior (including his first Vezina season). Also, we’re not trying to determine who we feel comfortable having in net for this year’s playoffs. It’s next year (and beyond) when we might not even have Thomas available to us.
It’s also not a Trade Thomas for the sake of trading Thomas thread. It’s more of a trade Thomas if you can sign Parise or Suter and need the cap space thread. Both players with Rask starting I would consider a bonus over having a $4m player riding the bench in the playoffs for security sake.
As for the politics. I fall in the couldn’t care less camp.
by Michael Taylor on Jan 26, 2012 7:50 PM EST up reply actions
I smell a new banner.
Please, Please, Please. (I raise my mug in a toast.)
by gravitymike on Jan 26, 2012 5:59 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
hahaha… if it’s not one thing, it’s another
Kick his ass, Seabass!
by phonymahoney on Jan 26, 2012 8:11 PM EST up reply actions
Sign my petition to trade Thomas
The time has come for Thomas to go. He is a distraction and bad role model for our kids. Please sign my petition to Bruins management:
How are things up in Montreal this time of year?
Our intention isn't to discuss this... it's to see if you can bleed.
by BobbyOrrsBastard on Jan 26, 2012 7:17 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
They’ll try anything to get us to fall to their level, eh?
by Toocomplex4most on Jan 26, 2012 7:24 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
WAIT
Are you planning to send Scott Gomex here in exchange for Thomas and a francophone coach?
Kick his ass, Seabass!
by phonymahoney on Jan 26, 2012 8:12 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
hey, he played last night. I wonder: didgomezscore.com ?
by TomServo42 on Jan 26, 2012 8:14 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Gee, I never knew Tim Thomas was the Bruins captain.
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by Kevin Sellathamby on Jan 27, 2012 9:58 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Really?
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jan 27, 2012 10:09 AM EST up reply actions
you child take this way to serious if you think not wanting to go shake the hand of some puppet is the most disrespectful thing someone has done in this franchise I’m just going to guess you just started following this team , I’m getting fucking sick of these mother fuckers who come out the wood works once a team wins it all or something bad happens and all they do is bitch and moan and are not happy till something is done ie players run out of town management fired etc etc and then after that they don’t give a flying Fuck what happens but nooo they fans who stuck by said teams players could care less on ones opinions on what ever are deemed worthless and get no say or are made to feel as if they are wrong hell even the local media does it ….. so Joe take your petitions shove em up your fucking candy ass and get off this site your worthless and nothing but a troll ,
HOCKEY TEMPER
by Losted125 on Jan 27, 2012 10:15 AM EST via Android app up reply actions 3 recs
Soooo I may have gone little extreme ……
HOCKEY TEMPER
by Losted125 on Jan 27, 2012 10:32 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
rec
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jan 27, 2012 12:39 PM EST up reply actions
Say what you will, I am just sick and tired of
hearing and everyone from their dead grandmother to their dog chiming in on the whole Thomas White House fiasco.
meh. it’ll blow over in a few days… it’s already faded for the most part. I just want timmy/captain america/militia jokes to live on.
Kick his ass, Seabass!
by phonymahoney on Jan 27, 2012 9:18 AM EST up reply actions
yea.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9×6EIgoAtjs
Rask can’t do that……
by Mikol on Jan 27, 2012 9:57 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
rec’d.
Managing Editor, Stanley Cup of Chowder
Follow me on Twitter @Ryan_Durling. Or don't. It's a free country.
by Ryan Durling on Jan 27, 2012 9:59 AM EST up reply actions
Hell on Ice/In Lou We Trust/Twitter
Everyone has more goals than Scott Gomez
by Kevin Sellathamby on Jan 27, 2012 10:00 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Your 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins
Hockey Blog Adventure is my blog but I'm way more active on Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jan 27, 2012 10:03 AM EST up reply actions
Pretty much, yeah.
Your 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins
Hockey Blog Adventure is my blog but I'm way more active on Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jan 27, 2012 12:31 PM EST up reply actions
Not a clue where this is coming from.
You’re talking about trading our two time vezina winning goalie a season after he leads us to a Stanley Cup. And you actually think he might not bring back that much? We’d get a lot for him if for some reason we made that move.
Impossible to determine his value prior to July 1. Last July 1, he was a two time Vezina winner coming off a Conn Smythe. This July 1, the possibility exists that he’s viewed as a 38 year old goaltender coming off a down year and who didn’t even start for his own team in the playoffs. Last July 1, when the Cup winners got elite goaltending, the value for goalies was high. The July prior, when the Cup finalists had Niemi and the cast of It’s Always Sunny in net, goalies were valued relatively low.
Also, you begin to wonder if the results of the big goalie acquisitions starts to play a role. Bryz has not worked out thus far in Philly. Halak isn’t starting in St. Louis. Varlamov isn’t starting in Colorado.
That’s not to say he doesn’t have much value, what it means is, he may have relatively less value than what fans are expecting he’ll have.
by Michael Taylor on Jan 27, 2012 2:12 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
he couldn't possibly bring as much value back in a trade...
as he would already have for the Bruins, because of his age. He’s having a good year and is still the number one goalie on this team. Maybe in the offseason its worth thinking about, but now its just stupid.
Nowhere in the article does it mention trading him during the season. He has a NTC that doesn’t elapse until July 1.
by Michael Taylor on Jan 27, 2012 3:40 PM EST up reply actions
Basis for the article was, if the Bruins have started to consider whether trading Thomas will be in their plans, did the giant distraction Thomas caused at the beginning of the week make it easier public relations wise to do so. Since the distraction happened this week, I wrote the article this week.
by Michael Taylor on Jan 27, 2012 3:50 PM EST up reply actions
You can thank the media for 95% of the distraction.
Has nothing to do with hockey.
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