Where Art Thou, Timmy!?

A lot to catch up on...  but I'll take it slow, don't want to overload one post.

First and foremost the single biggest bit of news this offseason is Tim Thomas deciding to take a year sabatical from hockey for "Family, Friends, and Faith".  Now, I've been asked many times what I think (probably because I didn't blog about it...my b).

Only time will tell if his leave of absense is actually because of family, friends, and faith.  If it is, which is obviously possible, then the human in me is okay with it.  If he's unhappy with Boston or unhappy with his contract, then that'll be a whole different rant for a different post.  Let's remember Thomas hasn't had the easiest career path.  Let's recap:

University of Vermont
Birmingham Bulls (ECHL) 1997-1998
Houston Aeros (IHL) 1997-1998
Finland 1997-1998
Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL) 1998-1999
Finland 1999-2000
Detroit Vipers (IHL) 1999-2000
Sweden 2000-2002
Providence Bruins 2002-2004
Sweden 2004-2005 (lockout)
Boston Bruins 2005-present

That's a hell of a lot of moving around in a 4-5 year span.  Now I'm not naive, I'm sure MANY MANY aspiring athletes in all sports go through similar moves to try and make it to the bigs, but that still doesn't make it easier on his family and friends.

But that's the human in me.  The insane diehard B's fan in me is fairly pissed.  His cap hit is $5mil.  That's a large cap hit for someone that is playing let alone someone that's not.  If suspending a player eliminated their cap hit, and if the B's put Marc Savard on long term injury reserve, which would eliminate his cap hit, that's $9mil of available cap room.  Let me repeat...

$9  MILLION  DOLLARS  WORTH  OF  CAP   ROOM

That would allow the Bruins to be contenders for Parise or Suter. *droooooool*

Is there a potential for cap relief?  Yes.  Currently there is a floor, which is the opposite of a cap.  Teams have to spend a certain amount of money on their payroll each year.  I'm assuming the new CBA is going to have this as well.  If there is a team that is under the floor, what better way to get there without actually paying any money than by trading for Thomas (who's no trade clause expires July 1st...even though reports are he waived had it already).  The team receives the $5mil cap hit, but the owner doesn't pay an additional dime.  Two teams that are linked to this is the Colorado Avalanche and the Quebec Nor... I mean New York Islanders.

To be honest, Thomas should be thanking Tuukka.  Everyone would be a hell of a lot more pissed at him if Rask wasn't on the verge of being the starter.  And Tuukka should be thanking Thomas, it's pretty clear now that he's the number one goalie!

Turco in for Tuukka

As every knows, Tuukka was injured during the Islanders game with a lower abdomen/groin injury and will miss at the least the rest of the regular season.  This sucks for multiple reasons:

1.  Tuukka is arguably the best goaltender that is not a starting goaltender (you can throw Schneider and Bernier in that mix too).  Even though Timmy will be the goaltender for the playoffs, Timmy's a bit old and the plan was most likely to lean heavily on Rask the last month and a half of the season to give Thomas some rest.

2.  This injury occurred after the trade deadline.  The options are significantly limited on trying to find a replacement.

3.  The number one goalie in Providence, Anton Khudobin, is injured with a bum wrist.  Plan D anyone?


When this happened I jokingly asked my roommate if he thought Chiarelli would kick the tires on Turco.  I know at the start of the year he was hoping to sign with a team, but when that didn't happen he went over to Europe.  My joke became a reality with the B's signing the 36 year old goaltender.  If this was 10 years ago, hot digity dog I'd be excited. 

Because the options are limited at this time of year and with the injury to Khudobin, I understand this signing and it realistically seems like the best option.  Since he signed after the trade deadline he's not eligible to play for the playoffs, which isn't a big deal barring Rask is healthy by then. 

All we need him to do is play in 6 or so games to let Thomas rest.  If Turco somehow channels his younger self and catches fire (which I'm not banking on) we can give him more games.  We just need him not to completely blow.  We NEED a fresh Thomas for the playoffs.

Let's hope this works out!

Rask for Nash?!?

With Columbus recently in the Hub, there's been a rumor floating around that the Bruins could potentially trade Tuukka Rask for Rick Nash.  First off, unless the Blue Jackets have the old Boston regime in the front office, I highly doubt they would accept this trade or offer it.  Why?

First and foremost, Nash is your franchise player.  He's the only heart and soul this team has ever known and he's still only 27. Secondly, you were able to convince Carter to stop being a baby and leave Philly because he was going to be playing with one of the elite players in the league.  Trade Nash and Carter checks out.

Yeah, Tuukka is good but the Blue Jackets would be looking for another NHL ready player in return to accompany Rask.  Who are you giving up?  Krejci?  If so, I would want more than Nash in return for that.  So unless you want to turn this into a blockbuster, I just don't see the pieces available to get this done.

Let's say it does happen, who backs up Thomas?  Thomas isn't getting any younger.  I really hope he doesn't get hurt, but injuries happen all the time.  The Sabres are probably going to run him next Wednesday anyways.  Kazakhstan native Anton Khudobin is the goalie down in Providence, but I don't think he's NHL ready yet.  It would be much more beneficial for him to get reps down in Providence then sit on the bench.  They could kick the tires on Marty Turco or make a trade for disgruntled Evgeni Nabokov, but then again if the Blue Jackets are looking for a goalie fix on the cheap, why wouldn't they go for those options first?

Lastly, Chiarelli has said Tuukka is the goalie of the future.  Damn right he should be.  Why would you mess that up?  The Bruins will be solid in net for YEARS to come.  Why throw that away?!  Worst case scenario for Tuukka, he's the backup for two more seasons.  Unless Thomas has found the fountain of youth, I don't see them resigning him at 39, unless he wants to be the back-up and gets paid as a back-up.

Hypothetically speaking if the Blue Jackets did offer Nash for Rask straight up, you go for it and PRAY Thomas stays healthy.  But I just don't see it happening.