TSN: Neely Says Bruins " Unlikely " To Retire Thomas's # 30

[kdog82]

That’s very different than “he’s the best Bruins goalie of all time”, particularly when the team has been around since the 1920’s and you have not.

You sound a little ungrateful. Thomas won 2 vezina's and a Conn Smythe. Not many goalies have accomplished this feat period. I'll stick to what I said and say he is the best Bruins goalie of all time.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

You sound a little ungrateful. Thomas won 2 vezina's and a Conn Smyth. Not many goalies have accomplished this feat period. I'll stick to what I said and say he is the best Bruins goalie of all time.

How is it “ungrateful” to say that you are looking at a small slice of B’s history and anointing the goalie from that time period as the best ever because that’s who you know?

You sound like you lack perspective.

 

[kdog82]

How is it “ungrateful” to say that you are looking at a small slice of B’s history and anointing the goalie from that time period as the best ever because that’s who you know?

You sound like you lack perspective.

Who is better in your opinion?

 

[jgatie]

Who is better in your opinion?

In my lifetime, Cheevers was better. Best money goalie I've ever seen. He might give up 4, but that team would score 5 and Cheevers would stand on his head keeping out that tying goal.

 

[Therick67]

Bruins need a ring of honor, Tim Thomas should be in it...

 

[GloryDaze4877]

Who is better in your opinion?

I would have to sit down and look at all the stats and factor in what I have seen (I saw Cheevers play, but I was very young during his first stint in Boston).

Thomas would definitely be in the mix. Off the top of my head, in no particular order:

Cheevers, Thomas, Rask, Brimsek, Thompson, Gilbert

It’s very difficult to compare players from different eras, but I think goalies are the hardest. The equipment and training has changed so dramatically (in favor of today’s netminders) even from the 70’s and 80’s it makes it very hard to judge.

 

[hoss75]

I'm probably the guy's biggest fan, but Thomas shouldn't have his number in the rafters.
As far as HHOF, the goalies that are currently in there were either better OR , in a few exceptions, have had very long careers. If the guy became a coach on a great team for the next decade, he could slip in.

 

[Btown]

We better save some room because I’d expect 37 to one day go up to the rafters and probably 33.

As an Andy Moog fan I think I’d prefere to not have Timmy’s number raised. Loved him when he was here but soured on how he left.

 

[WhalerTurnedBruin55]

We better save some room because I’d expect 37 to one day go up to the rafters and possibly 33.

As an Andy Moog fan I think I’d prefere to not have Timmy’s number raised. Loved him when he was here but soured on how he left.

Honestly, I expect both 37 and 33 to be up there.

 

[Rubber Biscuit]

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

 

[McGarnagle]

The thing with jersey retirements is that they're not always based in objective numbers and shit.

Like, if the Bruins happen to suck hard ten years from now (like 2005-2007 Bruins style) and attendance is down, they could schedule a Brad Marchand or David Krejci retirement just to sell some tickets and Delaware North hot dogs when they might not if the team was drawing max capacity every night.

 

[rfournier103]

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.

 

[Mainehockey33]

It would be interesting to see a graph of average shot velocity over time. Goalies today, even with bigger equipment, can’t have it easier then they did in the 1930’s.

 

[Si Hopkins]

Do the Bruins have a team-HOF? There really needs to be a way to honor some of these stars that have shined here.

 

[BigBadBruins7708]

Do the Bruins have a team-HOF? There really needs to be a way to honor some of these stars that have shined here.

come on, that would cost the old man money

 

[World of Wardlow]

Among the active players right now, and back then that the bruins should have their jersey number retired are Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara.

 

[Donnie Shulzhoffer]

come on, that would cost the old man money

No, it would make him money. Just ask the Krafts how much it costs to walk through the door of the Patriot HOF on any given day.

 

[Si Hopkins]

No, it would make him money. Just ask the Krafts how much it costs to walk through the door of the Patriot HOF on any given day.

Deep agreement. This is a revenue stream in waiting.