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Tim Thomas heading to the New York Islanders
What’s Brewin with the Bruins by Bruins Daily
by Chris Chirichiello
(Photo: Bridget Samuels/) Tim Thomas will need to move out of his bunker and pack his bags for New York as he was dealt by the Bruins to the Islanders early Thursday evening.
Well Bruins fans, Tim Thomas will most likely never have to worry about visiting the White House in the near future after he was dealt to the New York Islanders Thursday evening for a conditional second round pick in 2014 or 2015. Thomas must play a game this season or next in order for that to come into fruition for the Bruins. That is the “condition”. The Bruins will also clear five million of cap space immediately.
It is officially “Tuukka Time” in Boston although Tim Thomas cannot be forgotten for his efforts in 2011 as he indeed lead the Boston Bruins to their first Stanley Cup in nearly 40 years. He was a two-time Vezina Trophy winner with the Bruins, a Conn Smythe Award winner and most importantly a Stanley Cup Champion.
General Manager Peter Chiarelli met with the media regarding the Thomas trade and reiterated how important Timmy was during his tenure in Boston.
“I’d like to talk about Tim, obviously, was a great, significant part of our Stanley Cup winning team, Chiarelli said. “He had a very good career here, and I can’t say enough of his contributions to the team. Two Vezina trophies, a Conn Smythe trophy, the journey he took us on in the Stanley Cup was amazing. I was happy to be along for the ride.”
The Bruins Daily crew even weighed in on the trade that got Thomas out of his bunker in Colorado and back to hockey relevance (we think).
Tim’s take: “The Tim Thomas era is officially over in Boston and it is a good thing for all parties involved,” Rosenthal said. “The Bruins don’t have to carry his cap hit, the Isles are over the cap floor and even if he doesn’t report, Thomas can still hide out in his Colorado bunker. On the other hand, maybe this gives Thomas a little more motivation to return and perhaps get a head start for U.S. Olympic team in 2014, assuming the NHL is still planning on going to Sochi next February.”
“Of course, we are still waiting to see if he’ll post anything on Facebook and perhaps make another cameo with Peggy,” Rosenthal said. “But for now, he’ll be remembered in the “Hub of Hockey” for backstopping the Bruins to their first Cup title in 39 years as well as his now infamous political stances.”
Dan’s take: “Tim Thomas will always remain instilled in my head and heart as the underdog who brought the Stanley Cup home to Boston,” St. Pierre said. “There’s no arguing the fact that Timmy wasn’t the most ideal teammate off the ice. However, there are few players in the NHL who brought the type of intensity #30 brought on a nightly basis.
“As good as Tuukka Rask has performed in Thomas’ absence, it’s important for Bruins fans to remember that it’s a two-time Vezina Trophy winner and former Conn-Smythe recipient who is walking out the Garden doors for good,” St. Pierre said. “As far as the return of the trade of Thomas goes, the Bruins are walking away with a high draft pick and the cap room to acquire a key piece before April’s Trade Deadline.”
Anthony’s take: “The Tim Thomas era in Boston was a great, but stange one,” Travalgia said. “There’s no doubt that without Thomas in between the pipes the Bruins don’t win the cup in 2011. In his last season in Boston, it seemed that Thomas may have turned his back on the Bruins, but regardless of what happened in that final season, in my opinion, Thomas will go down as a Boston sports legend.”
So, Bruins fans get out your cassette players and start singing “It’s so Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday” by Boyz II Men if you miss the goaltender because Tim Thomas is not walking through that door. Tuukka Time is in full effect. Officially.
Thomas’ sabbatical puts Bruins in tough spot
(Photo: Bridget Samuels/) The Tim Thomas conundrum continued with speculation and confirmation of his year long sabbatical for the 2012-13 season
The latest Tim Thomas saga started with CSN New England’s Joe Haggerty reporting that he moved his family to Colorado during the middle of the season. It continued hours later with a report by TSN’s Pierre LeBrun that Thomas was thinking about taking a sabbatical during the 2012-13 season to prepare for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
During a conference call on Fridayfor the signings of Daniel Paille and Chris Bourque, Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli also confirmed those reports of Thomas’ sabbatical, and that the team would have to carry over his cap hit for next season, even if they suspended him for the entire year.
Thought that was the end of it, didn’t you? Well, in typical Tim Thomas fashion, the now former Boston netminder used Facebook, again making his stance official Sunday on his official Facebook page. And in doing so, he is also putting the Bruins in a tough situation.
“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 statement read. “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.”
There’s no doubt that the 2011-12 campaign took its toll on Thomas. From snubbing President Barack Obama during the team’s visit to the White House to celebrate their accomplishment of their first Stanley Cup victory in 39 years, to some of his postgame antics and his reaction to some off-season trade rumors on break-up day all played into a less productive year .
There’s also no doubt that Thomas seems devoted to his family and will fulfill his time by “reconnecting with three f’s”. After all, he moved his parents to Massachusetts to receive cancer treatment during his tenure.
But the timing of this announcement, and his status update from the day before (screen grab below), comes at a rather bazar time.
(Credit: Tim Thomas Facebook page) Tim Thomas posts some rather bizar material on his Facebook page regarding a potential world economic collapse.
Through his passive-aggressive approach, Thomas has left the Black and Gold in the dust as they are forced to carry over his $5 million cap hit for next year even if he officially retires — this was after signing his contract extension in 2008-09 when he was over 35 years of age per the rules of the current CBA. Chiarelli can save some space by putting Marc Savard on LTIR, which will save $4 million, but even with his no-trade clause expiring on July 1, a trade for Thomas seems highly unlikely at this rate.
Not to forget, Tuukka Rask (RFA) has not yet signed a new contract. With Thomas’ departure, its safe to assume that Tuukka’s stock has gone up financially as he likely will become the team’s No. 1 netminder (assuming he re-signs) with Anton Khudobin likely backing him up to start the year.
Even if Thomas were to compete for a spot on the 2014 US Olympic team, he will have an uphill battle with Jonathan Quick, who has been lights out for the Los Angeles Kings this postseason, Cory Schneider (Vancouver Canucks), Jimmy Howard (Detroit Red Wings) and perhaps Ryan Miller, who was the backbone for the Americans during the 2010 games in Vancouver.
There’s no doubt that Thomas had a historic season during the team’s Cup run last June and was the main reason why the Bruins kissed Lord’s Stanley for the first time since 1972.
After that, there was only one direction to go: down. And it looks like he is taking his now former team, the only one who gave the journeyman goalie a chance, down for the ride.
After 40: Bruins 1 – Habs 1
by Tim Rosenthal http://www.bruinsdaily.com
BOSTON — Erik Cole’s second goal of the year at 10:27 and the much anticipated PK Subban-Brad Marchand fight highlighted the middle 20 minutes here at TD Garden. After 40 the Bruins and Canadiens are tied at 1-1.
- After nearly two go arounds Marchand and Subban finally dropped the gloves after they both served matching delay of game penalties (first time I’ve seen that occur, I think) late in the second period. Despite the size advantage, Subban could not land many jabs at the smaller Marchand, who would have earned a decision by the judges. Give both of these guys credit, though, they were underneath each other’s skin for so long that they had to drop the gloves the third time around. Both combatants won’t have much left in the tank after they serve their fighting majors.
- The Habs came out a much more focused team in the second and outshot the Bruins 18-9 in the middle stanza. Despite stoning Mike Cammaleri on a breakaway moments earlier, Tim Thomas could not fight a screen set up by Mathieu Darche and Cole redirected the shot from defenseman Jaroslav Spacek to even things up midway through the second.
- Although the Bruins got the best of the Maple Leafs coming off a back to back in their win last Thursday night, they were unable to take advantage of a Sharks team after playing in New Jersey the night before in their 4-2 loss to San Jose Saturday. The Habs heavily outplayed them in the second period, but maybe Marchand’s fight with Subban will energize the team out of the locker room for the start of the third.
- With the Winnipeg Jets ahead 6-4 over the Philadelphia Flyers — who lost to the Habs last night in Montreal — the loser of this game could find themselves in dead last in the Eastern Conference assuming the Jets hold on. Yes I know its early in the year, but who would have thought the defending champs could potentially be in dead last at any point during the season?
After 20: Bruins 1 – Habs 0
by Tim Rosenthal http://www.bruinsdaily.com
BOSTON — Courtesy of Tomas Plekanec and Carey Price, Patrice Bergeron gets credit for his second goal of the season on the second Bruins’ power play — which is 1-for-3 — as the Black and Gold take a 1-0 lead after one.
- To break down tonight’s goaltending matchup would be an interesting task in it of itself. On one hand Price is looking like a goaltender who is a little sluggish on the second night of a back to back, but is still getting the job done with nine first period saves. On the other end, Tim Thomas is looking like he is auditioning for Dancing with the Stars early making an early save on the first shot of the game while also trying to get out of the way a few minutes later after some sloppy puck handling during a Habs line change. Strange indeed.
- Give the Habs credit. Even though they are being outshot 10-6 and have only generated three scoring chances, the defense has been active with 10 blocked shots.
- Despite being outhit 8-6, the Bruins are using their size against a smaller, speedier Montreal squad to their advantage and drew three first period penalties, converting on one power play too. Again, they can thank Plekanec and Price for the goal, which should also make the Sportscenter “Not Top 10″ plays of the week on both ESPN and TSN.
- Defensively, the Bruins are playing solid in front of Thomas allowing just six shots on goal. They are jumping on every loose puck in front of Thomas and beating the Habs to the corner. Again, this is partly due to Montreal’s second game of a back to back.
- With Bergeron’s first period goal, the Bruins have snapped a six-game skid in which they allowed their opponent to score first.
- As expected, Max Pacioretty and P.K. Subban got the most boo’s from the TD Garden faithful. Even ex-Bruin Hal Gill got a mixed reaction when he was acknowledged for his 1000th game during his TV timeout. To put that in retrospect, another ex-Bruin, Joe Thornton, got a nice ovation Saturday night when he was acknowledged for the same feat.
Thomas leads em out
by Tim Rosenthal
BOSTON — Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas leads the Bruins out of warmups indicating that he will indeed get his third straight start against Carey Price and the rest of the Montreal Canadiens for the first matchup between the Original Six rivals tonight at the TD Garden.Adam McQuaid is out for warmups indicating that he will return to the lineup after missing the last five games with a head/neck injury.
With that, here are the line combinations per warmups:
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Nathan Horton
Milan Lucic-Chris Kelly-Tyler Seguin
Benoit Pouliot-David Krejci-Rich Peverley
Daniel Paille-Gregory Campbell-Shawn Thornton
Zdeno Chara-Johnny Boychuk
Dennis Seidenberg-Joe Corvo
Andrew Ference-Adam McQuaid
Tuukka Rask
Tim Thomas
Click here for an in-depth preview of the first Bruins-Habs matchup of 2011-12 and be sure to follow me on twitter @rosieshockey for updates from the Level 9 press box.
Bruins Gameday: Bruins renew acquaintances with Habs
(Photo courtesy of Bridget Samuels) Max Pacioretty faces the Bruins for the first time since Zdeno Chara ended his season on a controversial hit back in March
by Tim Rosenthal http://bruinsdaily.com
Coming off a four-day break, the Bruins return to the TD Garden ice for the first time since their 4-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Saturday when they welcome the Montreal Canadiens — who downed the Philadelphia Flyers last night at the Bell Centre just an hour after firing assistant coach Perry Pearn — tonight.
Not only will this be the first game since the epic encounter in the first round of last year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs, but this will also be the first time that Zdeno Chara and Max Pacioretty reunite since Pacioretty’s 2010-11 campaign ended in with a controversial hit from Chara (insert 911 jokes here).
Game Details
Puck Drop: 7 p.m.
TV: NESN; Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub
2010-11 series: Habs 4-2
Expected goalie matchup: Tim Thomas vs. Carey Price
What to watch for (Bruins)
Perhaps this is exactly what the doctor ordered.
In a midst of an early season slump, the Bruins finally get to renew the rivalry with the struggling Habs, who are playing the second game of a back-to-back. But while the Black and Gold finally get a matchup with their archrivals, they’ll still have to produce.
Early on, the Bruins have been a little out of sync and have been a step behind for the most part with the exceptions of their wins against Tampa, Chicago and Toronto. Because of this, head coach Claude Julien has had to make some line changes. For some, like Milan Lucic (this week’s Bruins Daily player of the week), Chris Kelly and Tyler Seguin, the results have been good so far. But others, like Benoit Pouliot, David Krejci and Rich Peverley, they’ll have to contribute a little more.
After missing the last four games with a head/neck injury, defenseman Adam McQuaid is symptom free according to Julien and could suit up for the Black and Gold for the first time since the team traveled to Carolina several weeks ago.
What to watch for (Canadiens)
In a game with several events happening before and after — from Pearn’s firing to Price finally getting career win No. 100 — the Habs traveled overnight to Beantown and will look to generate a little momentum after one of their worse starts in quite awhile.
Tonight’s game could potentially be a night full of emotions for Pacioretty, who obviously reunites his own acquaintances with Chara, which dates back to last January even with the shove after an overtime win in Montreal. On the other hand, Pacioretty, who scored twice against Philly Wednesday, has stated that he has put last year’s hit behind him after sustaining a fractured vertebrae as a result.
More importantly in Montreal, though, head coach Jacques Martin has been under scrutiny due to the slow start. Although last night’s win helped ease things for a day, there is still more pressure for him to get out of this early hole and get on the winning track. Otherwise, Martin’s tenure with the Habs might come to an early end.
Gameday links (Bruins)
Joe Haggerty of Comcast SportsNet New England has more on McQuaid’s status.
Chara avoided questions regarding Pacioretty yesterday according to James Murphy of ESPN Boston
Days of Y’Orr has their always entertaining preview of tonight’s game.
Gameday links (Habs)
Arpon Basu from NHL.com recaps last nights victory in Montreal.
Legendary Montreal Gazette Habs writer Pat Hickey explains why Pearn was the scapegoat for the Habs early season problems.
After 20: Sharks-1 Bruins-0
by Anthony http://bruinsdaily.com
The Bruins came out to a slow start in the first few minutes of the first and the Sharks capitalized on this for the only goal of the first period. Here are the first period notes:
Sharks get on the board first when Pavelski rips one past the glove to Thomas. Joe Thornton grabs an assist on the goal after a Johnny Boychuk turnover at the Bruins blueline.
Bruins first team to go on the power play after Andrew Desjardins gets two for boarding. Bruins hit the net just twice on the power play and fail to score.
The Sharks goal really seemed to wake the B’s up as they took over play after the Pavelski goal.
Sharks get their first power play less then midway through the power play after Chara gets two for interference.
Bruins getting plenty of scoring chances here in the first, but Niemi is having himself a solid period.
Little Brad Marchand sent big Joe Thornton to the ice with a nice open ice hit, the Garden faithful really approves that one.
Shots on goal: Bruins-14 Sharks-10
Goals: Bruins-None Sharks: Pavelski(4)
Penalties: Bruins: Chara(Interference) Sharks: Desjardins(Boarding)
Bruins beat Lightning; pick up first win of the season
by Anthony http://bruinsdaily.com
Rich Peverley scored twice helping the Bruins pick up their first win of the season beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-1
After a late first period letdown two days ago in the home opening loss against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Bruins rebounded nicely picking up their first win of the year beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-1.
Rich Peverley scored twice, and Tim Thomas made 25 saves en route to the first Bruins win of the season.
After a scoreless first period, things got interesting early in the first. Rich Peverley got his first of the year when he put home a loose puck after a Brad Marchand shot rang the post.
It was a lucky bounce for the Bruins, and Marchand was not afraid to admit it.
“Yeah. I just think getting a couple of lucky bounces. You saw on Pev’s (Rich Peverley) goal there–the first one—hit the post, it could have went anywhere. It just dropped in front for him to tap in, so we’re just getting lucky bounces right now” said Marchand.
Tampa Bay answered just over a minute later when a Nathan Horton turnover led way to a Martin St Louis breakaway. St. Louis beat Tim Thomas blocker side for his 300th career goal tying things up at one.
The only Tampa Bay lead of the evening was short lived as an Adam McQuaid shot from the point would deflect off of the body of Daniel Pallie and sneak past Lightning goalie Mathieu Garon.
David Krejci and Rich Peverley’s third period goals would secure the win for the Bruins in front of a sold out TD Garden crowd.
As good as Thomas was for the Bruins tonight, the Bruins second line stole the show. The trio combined for five points and finished the night a combined plus-6.
After scoring twice tonight, Peverley was happy with his lines performance.
“Our line played with speed and we were shooting the puck a lot more and I think it paid off. We had some good rebounds” said Peverley.
It’s no secret that Peverley brings a different type of style then the one Mark Recchi brought to the Bruins second line last season. Recchi was more of a “crash-the-net type of guy” whereas Peverley uses his speed to create scoring chances, and that works well for Patrice Bergeron.
” Yeah, it is. I mean I feel we are creating a lot of chances off the rush and even in zone by our forecheck and by the way we keep moving our feet” said Bergeron. “And it’s been, I thought we had a lot of chances last game as well and we didn’t finish and tonight same thing and we found a way.”
If the Bruins second line can stay consistent throughout the season, it will be another fun hockey season in Boston.
Bruins vets return hoping to avoid “Cup hangover”
by Tim Rosenthal, http://www.bruinsdaily.com
The Bruins will look to avoid the Cup hangover in 2011-12
BOSTON — The champs are here.
While WWE superstar John Cena might overuse that reference, the same holds true for the Bruins as they begin their defense of Lord’s Stanley for the 2011-12 season.
On Friday, Bruins veterans reported to training camp for off-ice testing before they hit the ice for the first practice of the season Saturday at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the TD Garden. And its safe to say that they are eager to put last year behind already — even before they raise the banner on opening night — and focus on defending their title.
This year, they have a huge target on their backs as the defending champions.
And unlike the previous 12 champions, the Black and Gold are hoping they don’t suffer the same fate of the Stanley Cup hangover.
“The famous ‘Stanley Cup hangover’ talk is there,” said head coach Claude Julien. “We’re not different from anyone else. Teams are going to bring their best against you every night and we understand that part of it. We’re going to get ourselves ready [for the challenge] and respond properly.”
Although many players thoroughly enjoyed their summer of Stanley, they are doing their best to try to avoid the hangover during the off-season.
Forward Patrice Bergeron felt that his day with the Cup helped ease things a little bit.
“At some point you have to turn the page,” he said. “Honestly I felt like the day with the Cup helped me a lot in doing that. It was nice to share the Cup with my family and friends in doing that. But after that I felt like I needed to turn my focus on this year [and defending the Cup].”
Make no mistake, the Cup hangover is acknowledged from players and coaches alike in the organization. But at no point in the season will they use this as an excuse when they know they have that huge target on their backs.
Second year forward Tyler Seguin — who hopes to improve on his 22-point rookie season — believes his team has a great chance at repeating.
“Word being whispered around here is repeat,” said Seguin, who gained 10 pounds during the off-season. “I think we have the team to do it. There is the Cup hangover everyone talks about and we want to fight through it.”
Top 10 Bruins regular season games of 2010-11: Jan 11, 2011
by Anthony Travalgia http://www.thehubofhockey.net
(Photo: Bridget Samuels) Bergeron’s hat tick against Ottawa comes in at No. 10 in the Top 10 Bruins games of 10-11
The hub of hockey will be taking a look at the top 10 Bruins regular season games of 2010-11, followed by the top ten Bruins playoff games of the 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Today we take a look at No. 10: January 11, 2011 Ottawa Senators vs. Boston Bruins.
The Bruins scored early and scored often and Patrice Bergeron had a hat trick that occurred twice. Tim Thomas recorded his sixth shutout as the Bruins blanked the Senators 6-0.
In the second period the Bruins scored off a deflection, the goal was credited to Bergeron, his third of the game. The Bruins fans covered the Garden Ice as Bergeron celebrated his first career NHL hat trick, only for the goal to be taken away minutes later as the puck actually deflected off a Senators defenseman.
Bergeron would score again in the third, this time clear as day, and the remaining hats in the building came flying through the air.
It was the first hat rick of Bergeron’s career.
Bruins Goal Scorers: Bergeron-3, Brad Marchand, Tyler Seguin, Blake Wheeler.
Senators Goal Scorers: None
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