Honestly, I expect both 37 and 33 to be up there.
They're both locks. The question is who else from this era will be there with them
Agreed. 33 and 37 are absolute locks. I can’t think of anyone else who should go up who isn’t there already.
As far as Tim Thomas goes, the 2011 Stanley Cup triumph shouldn’t be the only factor. I just don’t think his career in Boston was long enough.
The 2011 Stanley Cup is still really fresh to most of us, and we were STARVING for a winner. But because the Bruins haven’t won since, and it doesn’t look like they will again anytime soon, I think some people are trying to recapture some of that glory by bringing Tim Thomas back for a ceremony. I think that would be just a temporary “high.”
Has anyone noticed that the Bruins don’t have ANY goalie’s number retired? No Frank Brimsek (Hockey Hall of Fame - Stanley Cup 1939, 1941). No Tiny Thompson (Hockey Hall of Fame - Stanley Cup 1929). No Gerry Cheevers (Hockey Hall of Fame - Stanley Cup 1970, 1972). Is Thomas more deserving than those men? They’re all Hall of Famers, they’ve all won at least one Championship with the Bruins, and they don’t have a number retired.
If the Bruins want to retire another number, I think Thomas needs to get in line behind Bergeron, Chara, Cheevers, and Brimsek at least.