It's been a weird week for the Boston Bruins and goaltender
Tim Thomas.
After reports of taking the year off surfaced, the 38-year-old netminder did what he does best, confusing the living hell out of everyone involved. This included two posts on his Facebook fan page on Saturday that included articles about a potential economic downfall saying "See, this is why hockey isn't important" and some bizarre behavior that included deleting and re-posting the links.
(As if you expected to understand how his brain works at this point...)
But on Sunday, the two-time Vezina took a break from his news articles and gave the world an honest and sincere update. The word? He's taking the 2012-13 campaign off.
From his Facebook:
From the earliest age I can remember, I've wanted to be a hockey player. I've been blessed in my life to not only be able to live that dream, but to achieve more than I ever thought possible.
The singleminded focus that is necessary to accomplish a dream of this magnitude entails (by necessity) sacrifice in other areas and relationships in life.
At the age of 38, I believe it is time to put my time and energies into those areas and relationships that I have neglected. That is why at this time I feel the most important thing I can do in my life is to reconnect with the three F's.
Friends, Family, and Faith.
This is what I plan on doing over the course of the next year.
On top of this, I will continue to train using the ARP/POV system www.ultrafitevosport.com and work with G-Form www.g-form.com in the development of protective equipment.
What does this portend for the future?
We'll see….God's will be done.
So, there you have it.
If Thomas does not report to the Bruins like this appears to tell us, Boston GM
Peter Chiarelli confirmed that he will have to suspend Thomas indefinitely, and would have the option to toll his contract into the 2013-14 season, keeping him with the club at his five million dollar cap-hit. But that doesn't seem like the route the Bruins will go if Thomas does decide to come back, with Chiarelli saving himself by adding that "We could make the call at the 11th hour or something."
Barring a trade, the Bruins will be on the hook for Thomas' cap-hit this year, as his contract is a famous over 35 deal, which leaves the B's responsible for his deal regardless of any potential retirement talk.
Thomas is the only goaltender in B's history to have four 30-win seasons, and is fourth all time for wins in a Bruins uniform with 196, and third in shutouts with 31.
With Thomas out, the Bruins will give the backup job to 26-year-old
Anton Khudobin. Suiting up in one game for the B's last season, Khudobin stopped 44 of 45 shots faced, and comes into the year with seven games of NHL experience between Boston and Minnesota.
The move also paves the way for
Tuukka Rask to become the No. 1 starter for the Black-and-Gold. In a season derailed with a groin injury and a pending restricted free agent, the Finnish netminder certainly just gained a leg up in his negotiations.
More on this story later tonight.
Follow me on Twitter, shoot me an email at [email protected], or become Facebook friends with the HockeyBuzz Bruins profile for links, interactions, and updates.
*********
KINDLE USERS: Please subscribe to Bruins Buzz; a one-stop feed for all things Bruins related on HockeyBuzz. For more information,
click here.
Boston Bruins Blogger •Bruins Feature Columnist • 
Join the Discussion:
»