News Article: Should The Bruins Retire Tim Thomas’ Number?

[TD Charlie]

This 100%

Maybe slightly off-topic, but the one thing that I always found interesting was people talk about all the amazing saves Thomas had. The interesting part is he made routine saves look difficult because he positioning was not always great i.e. at times he made things look harder than they were. On the flip side Rask is a positionally sound goalie and because of it makes difficult saves look routine. Thomas had a fantastic run when they won the cup, no question, but he wasn't the sole reason the Bruins won the cup like many make it seem.

Thomas 2011 - 1.98 GAA / .940 SV% / 4SO
Rask 2013 - 1.88 GAA / .940 SV% / 3SO

^One guy is blamed by many for not winning a cup in 2013 and the other is considered the reason the team won it all in 2011

i love Rask, i like him over Thomas. Buuuuut

one of them posted a goose egg in back to back game 7’s to win the cup, the other threw up on himself twice and visitors lifted the cup in Boston...twice

for the question, not a chance. Two dominant seasons and a godlike playoff run. Otherwise i feel like his career was fairly average, often times quite bad.

 

[neelynugs]

love timmy but no. honor him for sure though.

 

[Rubber Biscuit]

The Bruins really should have a ring of honor/team hall of fame

 

[ON3M4N]

i love Rask, i like him over Thomas. Buuuuut

one of them posted a goose egg in back to back game 7’s to win the cup, the other threw up on himself twice and visitors lifted the cup in Boston...twice

for the question, not a chance. Two dominant seasons and a godlike playoff run. Otherwise i feel like his career was fairly average, often times quite bad.

You're proving my point lol. Rask is blamed for 2013 even though the offense managed 2 or less goals in 4 of the 6 games. Marchand recorded a total of zero points in the 2013 SCF and no one says a word about it. Krejci, Seguin, Jagr and Horton all failed to register a goal in the 2013 SCF. Think about that 5 of your key offensive players failed to register a goal. Danille Paille and Chris Kelly were 3rd in goals for Bruins in the SCF and only 7 players recorded at least 1 goal.

2019 the team managed 2 or less goals in 4 of the 7 games and the lost all 4 games. Sean Kuraly was the 2nd leading producer for the Bruins in the SCF. Brandon Carlo was tied for the 2nd most goals scored by a Bruin in the SCF with Marchand, Pastrnak and Kuraly. But ya Rask threw up on himself.

 

[rfournier103]

You're proving my point lol. Rask is blamed for 2013 even though the offense managed 2 or less goals in 4 of the 6 games. Marchand recorded a total of zero points in the 2013 SCF and no one says a word about it. Krejci, Seguin, Jagr and Horton all failed to register a goal in the 2013 SCF. Think about that 5 of your key offensive players failed to register a goal. Danille Paille and Chris Kelly were 3rd in goals for Bruins in the SCF and only 7 players recorded at least 1 goal.

2019 the team managed 2 or less goals in 4 of the 7 games and the lost all 4 games. Sean Kuraly was the 2nd leading producer for the Bruins in the SCF. Brandon Carlo was tied for the 2nd most goals scored by a Bruin in the SCF with Marchand, Pastrnak and Kuraly. But ya Rask threw up on himself.

I didn’t realize much of that.

Very good post regarding some disappointing hockey.

 

[TD Charlie]

You're proving my point lol. Rask is blamed for 2013 even though the offense managed 2 or less goals in 4 of the 6 games. Marchand recorded a total of zero points in the 2013 SCF and no one says a word about it. Krejci, Seguin, Jagr and Horton all failed to register a goal in the 2013 SCF. Think about that 5 of your key offensive players failed to register a goal. Danille Paille and Chris Kelly were 3rd in goals for Bruins in the SCF and only 7 players recorded at least 1 goal.

2019 the team managed 2 or less goals in 4 of the 7 games and the lost all 4 games. Sean Kuraly was the 2nd leading producer for the Bruins in the SCF. Brandon Carlo was tied for the 2nd most goals scored by a Bruin in the SCF with Marchand, Pastrnak and Kuraly. But ya Rask threw up on himself.

oh I don’t blame Rask for the losses. The team as a whole bent over and took it. However, i had twice the confidence in Thomas in those games over Rask.

again, I’m a Rask fan, and not huge on Thomas overall. No arguing two goose eggs in the two biggest games of his career though.

 

[HHHH]

I loved watching Timmy play, and his run in the 2011 playoffs was legendary, but I don't think his number should be retired. B's already have a lot of numbers in the rafters, and #33 and #37 are as close to locks at this point as could be...

 

[BruinDust]

The Bruins really should have a ring of honor/team hall of fame

I'd like to see them do something to honour the great goalies this franchise has had. For all the numbers that have been retired, they've never retired a goalies number. Maybe some sort of honour roll for Bruins goalies.

Brimsek
Thompson
Cheevers
Rask
Thomas

I'd even toss Moog in there. Guy won by my count 8 playoff series between 1989 and 1992 and is Top 10 all-time games played for Bruin netminders. Gilbert, Johnston, and Dafoe also should get consideration.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Yes they would, 100%. Players take discounts all the time and they see those banners every day.

I would have to disagree.

 

[HockeyMomx2]

It's hard to admit, but no.

 

[Gordoff]

This should be a poll but: NO! Great goaltender, one of the best who ever played for the Bruins but no. As others have mentioned there have been other goalies besides TT and Cheevers who have worn the number and it wasn't retired for them. I'm huge fan of his and IMO too many numbers are off the board now so. no.

 

[Gee Wally]

I’m all in for a Ring of Honor type of thing.

 

[BMC]

With the exception of Terry O'Reilly and Rick Middleton every retired Bruins # belongs to a HHOFer. And while O'Reilly & Middleton were great Bruins they weren't HHOFers although a case can be made for Middleton. If they can have their #s retired why not Tim Thomas??? Tim Thomas was a great Bruin. He was a major part of the resurgence of this team in the late 200os. He had as season for the ages that led to the team's first Stanley Cup in 39 years. If he hadn't struggled with concussion & mental health issues after that season the Bruins might have won at least 1 more Cup.

 

[Saxon Eric]

Retire no, bringing him back for a night of showering him with praise and gifts,Yes!

 

[BigGoalBrad]

The Bruins really should have a ring of honor/team hall of fame

We do.

Approx 25 players and then some builders. All the players deserve to be in. Hitchman is retired but not in our HOF.

 

[Rubber Biscuit]

We do.

Approx 25 players and then some builders. All the players deserve to be in. Hitchman is retired but not in our HOF.

That's news to me. I've never heard of the Bruins having a team hall of fame. A quick search brings me to an article by KPD from a year and a half ago titled "A Bruins Hall of Fame is long overdue"

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

His peak was so very high and the argument is definitely there he was the biggest reason for the Cup.

I'd give it to him. His peak was Hall of Fame worthy, as was his journey to the NHL.

Thomas before Rask for the honor to me. That peak was better than the best Tuukka, and more significant.

 

[Aeroforce]

His peak was so very high and the argument is definitely there he was the biggest reason for the Cup.

I'd give it to him. His peak was Hall of Fame worthy, as was his journey to the NHL.

Thomas before Rask for the honor to me. That peak was better than the best Tuukka, and more significant.

Absolutely.

Would love to see the B's do it while Rask is still here.

I know that's not the consensus here, nor will there be appreciation for this pic, but this is how it should be done:

 

[Jean_Jacket41]

You're proving my point lol. Rask is blamed for 2013 even though the offense managed 2 or less goals in 4 of the 6 games. Marchand recorded a total of zero points in the 2013 SCF and no one says a word about it. Krejci, Seguin, Jagr and Horton all failed to register a goal in the 2013 SCF. Think about that 5 of your key offensive players failed to register a goal. Danille Paille and Chris Kelly were 3rd in goals for Bruins in the SCF and only 7 players recorded at least 1 goal.

2019 the team managed 2 or less goals in 4 of the 7 games and the lost all 4 games. Sean Kuraly was the 2nd leading producer for the Bruins in the SCF. Brandon Carlo was tied for the 2nd most goals scored by a Bruin in the SCF with Marchand, Pastrnak and Kuraly. But ya Rask threw up on himself.

You’re right.

Blaming Rask for that 2013 loss is beyond lunatic.

 

[BlackFrancis]

If you can't retire the number of the best goalie you've had in the past 70 years - one that, despite the shortish career, has plenty of black ink for a HHOF argument - I'm not sure you can retire anyone's.

 

[HustleB]

My immediate reaction is yes. Going back to read the arguments now.

 

[easton117]

Not sure how I feel about the number being retired but I do think he should be in the HOF without question.

Goalies seem to get the run around with the hall though.