Timmy Trouble

Tim Thomas has made many saves for the Boston Bruins over the past few years, helping them win a lot of games in the process.  Now it appears he is intent on doing the opposite.

The two-time Vezina Trophy winner announced that he is considering taking a year off.  As he put it, at this point in his life he feels it's more important to focus on the three F's in his life - family, friends and faith.  That would be fine if there were some pressing personal issue that required his attention.  After all, some things are more important than sports.  Yet the fact that Thomas has not actually said this is the case leaves the situation open to question his motives for not honoring his contract.

Thomas still has one year left on his deal, which would pay him $3 million.  He won't make a dime of that of course if he does actually sit out the entire season, yet his $5 million cap hit would still remain.  That's the bigger issue here.  It's not the money that would come out of the owner's pockets that concerns Bruins fans, it's the empty clog on the team's available cap space.  Not only would they be without the services of one of the best goal tenders on the planet, but they would have limited funds available to improve the team in his absence.  The team will get some relief by again putting Marc Savard on long term injury reserve, which would make up for $4 million of that lost cap room, but the team would have had that either way.

The other financial strain Thomas has put the team in relates to the contract of Tuukka Rask, who is a restricted free agent.  Rask was of course expected to be brought back anyway, but with the knowledge that Thomas may not be around for this season, he becomes even more indispensable.  This gives Rask more leverage in negotiations, which could drive up the price tag and eat up even more of the team's cap room. 

If Thomas does sit out the season, the Bruins would have the option the following season of either allowing him to leave as a free agent or toll his contract into that season, meaning he'd play that year under the same contract that he would have had this upcoming season.  It's unclear at this point if the team would even want the then 39 year old goalie back after being out of the game for a year.  Not only would he presumably have plenty of rust to knock off after his time away, but his motivation and loyalty to the team could also be questioned.  If Rask shines this year, playing up to his potential for a full year as the primary starter, the team may decide that bringing back Thomas isn't worth the headaches, or the $5 million cap hit.

Thomas' motives for putting his team in this position have been questioned by many over the past few days.  Is it business or personal?  Is he trying to force a trade?  Is he trying to block a trade by destroying his value?  No matter his reasoning, he's hurting his team.  The Bruins must prepare as if they will be without him as they approach the start of a new season.  Any plans they may have had to trade him are now ruined, as it's unlikely any team would give up much value for an expensive player that might not even play this season. 

Thomas has put the Bruins in a tough spot.  With him, they have the best goaltending tandem in the league and a legitimate shot at competing for another Stanley Cup.  Without him they are forced to rely on Rask, who is coming off a season ending injury, with unproven depth beyond that.  Thomas' cap hold may also prevent the team from acquiring a player of equal impact to make up for his loss.  There's no scenario where the Bruins come out ahead if Thomas sits out. 

It's not as if Thomas has lost his passion for the game, as he still insists on preparing to play in the 2014 Olympics.  It's unlikely he'd even make the team unless he returns to the league before then, so presumably he will be back.  It just may not be next season and may not be with the Bruins.  So perhaps he's only lost motivation for playing for this team in this city.  A city that less than two years ago made him a celebrity after his historic season paved the way to a championship title.  This makes Thomas come across as selfish and disloyal for turning his back on his teammates and the city of Boston.  By not honoring his contract he's hurting the team's chances to win.  Yet he doesn't seem to care.

Perhaps this is just another example of Thomas trying to make a statement, as was the case when he skipped the team's visit to the White House.  Maybe he just wanted to get his name in the headlines.  Once things settle down, perhaps he'll even change his mind and rejoin the team before the season begins this fall. 

Thomas has made a career out of making big saves.  Now he has the chance to save this team.  All he has to do is show up.