Isles have "Interest" in Thomas- Boston Globe

[Hipietro]

1 year deal to fight for the back up spot with Poulin/Nilsson? I'm all for it.

If Nabby gets hurt I would feel a lot more comfortable with Thomas/Poulin instead of Poulin/Nilsson.

 

[nycbruins*]

Never count this guy out. The fact he'a still unsigned & mostly unwanted just means he'll be even better.

 

[Zanny]

Sounds great. Let's also add John Rocker as a motivational speaker.

 

[nyisles]

TT is a borderline crazy person, but he's also the ultimate competitor and has relatively low mileage for a 39 y/o goalie. I would take him over any goalie in the NYI system right now.

That said, like most "rumors" surrounding the Isles, I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[scott99]

1 year deal to fight for the back up spot with Poulin/Nilsson? I'm all for it.

If Nabby gets hurt I would feel a lot more comfortable with Thomas/Poulin instead of Poulin/Nilsson.

The way I look at it, it's time for Poulin/Nilsson. Poulin has spent 2 1/2 seasons (86 games) at Bridgeport and Nilsson has spent 1 1/2 seasons (46 games). Though that is not A LOT of games, I think they have both proven themselves when called upon in the NHL. Nilsson had a 2.75 ga and .910 sp in his NHL games, and Poulin has a 2.76 ga and .912 sp in the NHL. Both Nilsson AND Poulin accomplished this in front of defenses a lot worse than our current one. It's time for them to get a lot of games in the NHL to see if they are our future or not. Whoever the backup is, needs to get 30-35 games this season to see if they are future #1 starters.

That being said, the only way I sign Tim Thomas, is if he takes a 1 year 1 million dollar contract (with incentive bonuses for games played and reaching certain stats). AND, only if we sign Barack Obama as our goalie coach after we sign Thomas

 

[redbull]

I think many fans are liking the idea of a 2010-11 Tim Thomas more than what we might realistically expect in 2013-14. He likely would have lost the starting job to Rask last year, which is decided to skip altogether. I remember how great Roloson played at 38-39 then how he fell drastically in Tampa Bay the following year.

Off-ice distractions and team chemistry aside, Tim Thomas may not be the player the Islanders need ON the ice next season.

And I don't believe there's anything to the rumour. It's a slow-news-period. I'm outside, working from my deck, listening to the birds - it's summer. I'd expect Snow and Capuano are doing the same thing.

 

[Sneekypete]

needs to be on an NHL team to be elligible for the olympics

 

[duster19]

Some of you guys are hilarious. Thomas is a 2 time vezna winner, Stanley cup champion, conn smthye winner. Of course he is worth the risk...all it costs is money. Cappy wouldn't even play Poulin last year he was so bad and nabby was just shelled in the playoffs. We have arguably the worst goaltending in the NHL...this is a no brainier. If he sucks, he sucks...didn't cost anything and we can call Poulin back up to suck less.

 

[seafoam]

Not buying this one bit.

 

[LeapOnOver]

Just top be technically accurate, Thomas is "only" 39. He won't turn 40 until April 2014 (playoff time). BTW, probably the best goaltending the Isles' have had in very recent history (past several years) came from a 40 year old.

I agree with those saying the Boston writer knows nothing and is just repeating rumors. That said, from a pure roster standpoint the Isles would be a good fit. And from Thomas' perspective the Isles would afford a fair chance at splitting time during the season and being THE guy come playoff time, rather than being a backup.

I can't fathom why a guy his age and as far along in his career would settle playing for a fringe contender. Yes, Nabakov has proven me wrong on that one and surprised me, but I believe Thomas is a different machine than Nabakov. I just can't see this as a possibility but it doesn't mean it isn't.

With that said, I am not going to guarantee the playoffs, so he may be playing golf come playoff time. Seriously, we lost a big piece of the puzzle in Mark Streit and replaced him with nothing but the hopes and dreams of Sound Tigers. So I don't think this team got that much better. The defense surely hasn't. I don't care what people say about Streit being a "liability". He's no Marc Andre Bergeron, he still can compete and eat up minutes and give all he has. Until a Sound Tiger comes in and asserts himself and eases my fears, I wouldn't even be mentioning the playoffs.

 

[RMimagery]

Some of you guys are hilarious. Thomas is a 2 time vezna winner, Stanley cup champion, conn smthye winner. Of course he is worth the risk...all it costs is money. Cappy wouldn't even play Poulin last year he was so bad and nabby was just shelled in the playoffs. We have arguably the worst goaltending in the NHL...this is a no brainier. If he sucks, he sucks...didn't cost anything and we can call Poulin back up to suck less.

My view as well. Give him a 1 year deal with incentives.

It probably has 3% chance of happening, but we would be a lot stronger in net the day he arrives. 50/50 split with Nabby letting them ride hot streaks can't hurt and could help to keep both strong come playoffs.

Nilsson is probably a year away and I can see us going after another vet come next season.

 

[Stercrazy]

Not sure I get why Thomas would be a "distraction" on this team? Outside of him not wanting to visit the White House after the Bruins won the Stanley Cup, he was pretty much a model citizen for the Bruins.

Not saying I buy this rumor mind you, but it would make sense for both parties involved here as a one year deal would be ideal for Thomas who wants to play again and prove himself, and the Isles having another capable stopgap goalie while we wait for Poulin/Nilsson/etc. makes sense.

Ditto!

 

[Felix Unger]

Ditto!

The difference is that before his various statements, etc., no reporter had a reason to stick a microphone in front of him and ask him non-hockey related questions. Now they do. He would have to promise Garth that he's going to not post on facebook, to say he's talking ONLY about hockey, not make political appearances, etc., etc.

Would he do all that for a chance at being a backup? Why would he leave Boston and his contract because it was a problem, only to come here and be a muzzled backup? It doesn't make any sense.

 

[IceAce]

needs to be on an NHL team to be elligible for the olympics

Has USA Hockey ever stated that's actually the case? Or was it just assumed since our best players are all in the NHL?

 

[Crashsunday]

The difference is that before his various statements, etc., no reporter had a reason to stick a microphone in front of him and ask him non-hockey related questions. Now they do. He would have to promise Garth that he's going to not post on facebook, to say he's talking ONLY about hockey, not make political appearances, etc., etc.

Would he do all that for a chance at being a backup? Why would he leave Boston and his contract because it was a problem, only to come here and be a muzzled backup? It doesn't make any sense.

Don't really understand why he needs to be muzzled. He can say whatever he wants when someone puts a microphone in front of him. That's his right. Frankly, I'm tired of all this political correctness and the hate speech buzz that has begun to accompany it. If he comes here, it's to play hockey. Shouldn't matter what his political/religious views are or whether he expresses them or not. After all, if you can play, you can play. That's all that should matter or does the street not go both ways.

 

[redbull]

The difference is that before his various statements, etc., no reporter had a reason to stick a microphone in front of him and ask him non-hockey related questions. Now they do. He would have to promise Garth that he's going to not post on facebook, to say he's talking ONLY about hockey, not make political appearances, etc., etc.

Would he do all that for a chance at being a backup? Why would he leave Boston and his contract because it was a problem, only to come here and be a muzzled backup? It doesn't make any sense.

The other difference is that nobody covers the islanders except Staple. He seems like a stand-up sports writer - not going to engage in crap and sensationalize stuff.

Other media?
The Canadian media tend to not care so much about how players feel, politically. They really focus on the hockey. North-eastern USA media, especially in Manhattan might bring it up, but I think cities like Chicago wouldn't care so much (and they're in a different conference). In Boston, there will be enough side stories to leave Thomas alone.

I don't think that will be a big deal. Who really cares what a hockey player feels about politics or religion anyway? Just like I don't care what these two beauties think about education or geography.

and why do we have beauty pageants in 2013?

OK. When does training camp start!

 

[Felix Unger]

Don't really understand why he needs to be muzzled. He can say whatever he wants when someone puts a microphone in front of him. That's his right. Frankly, I'm tired of all this political correctness and the hate speech buzz that has begun to accompany it. If he comes here, it's to play hockey. Shouldn't matter what his political/religious views are or whether he expresses them or not. After all, if you can play, you can play. That's all that should matter or does the street not go both ways.

This isn't a matter of rights, it's a question of employment.

If I thought Garth Snow would be interested in a guy who makes waves and is looking for guaranteed money and playing time in net... well, I'd think he was interested in Tim Thomas. As it is, I think Garth Snow is interested in none of those things.

 

[Felix Unger]

The other difference is that nobody covers the islanders except Staple. He seems like a stand-up sports writer - not going to engage in crap and sensationalize stuff.

Other media?
The Canadian media tend to not care so much about how players feel, politically. They really focus on the hockey. North-eastern USA media, especially in Manhattan might bring it up, but I think cities like Chicago wouldn't care so much (and they're in a different conference). In Boston, there will be enough side stories to leave Thomas alone.

I'll lay it out for you. Future NYC Mayor Christine Quinn and Chick Fil A CEO Dan Cathy are fixin' to have another showdown within the next year (they had one last year over NYU). I've heard rumblings about a downtown Brooklyn location from people in the retail commercial real estate market (I design mechanical systems for these people).

It won't happen unless and until it comes up. But it will come up.

 

[Doshell Propivo]

This isn't a matter of rights, it's a question of employment.

If I thought Garth Snow would be interested in a guy who makes waves and is looking for guaranteed money and playing time in net... well, I'd think he was interested in Tim Thomas. As it is, I think Garth Snow is interested in none of those things.

Tim Thomas does not "make waves." I don't think anyone outside of us hockey fanboys is thinking that Thomas would be some sort of lockerroom distraction.

 

[Sneekypete]

Has USA Hockey ever stated that's actually the case? Or was it just assumed since our best players are all in the NHL?

Probably assumed but would u even invite a player that has not played organized hockey in what will be about 18 months, especially at his age

 

[JeffNYI]

Tim Thomas does not "make waves." I don't think anyone outside of us hockey fanboys is thinking that Thomas would be some sort of lockerroom distraction.

Thomas at one point had lost a LOT of money investing in gold due the fact he thought the United States economy was set to imminently collapse... so I'm curious/skeptical if his return isn't as much for financial reasons as it is for hockey reasons..

But make no mistake. Tim Thomas is a total joke around the league for the way he bought a ton of weapons and prepared for the worst in Colorado.. Now if the man can still keep the puck out of the net, all it takes is one team to decide that they're willing to take the good with the bad and he's back in the league.. but to say he wouldn't be a locker-room distraction isn't really true..

 

[JeffNYI]

To follow up my own point, when I mentioned financial motivations I meant in order to improve his situation by making an NHL/pro hockey salary... I wasn't suggesting he was broke and needed to play hockey just to put food on the table..

 

[Doshell Propivo]

Thomas at one point had lost a LOT of money investing in gold due the fact he thought the United States economy was set to imminently collapse... so I'm curious/skeptical if his return isn't as much for financial reasons as it is for hockey reasons..

But make no mistake. Tim Thomas is a total joke around the league for the way he bought a ton of weapons and prepared for the worst in Colorado.. Now if the man can still keep the puck out of the net, all it takes is one team to decide that they're willing to take the good with the bad and he's back in the league.. but to say he wouldn't be a locker-room distraction isn't really true..

A lot of goalies are whackos. Billy Smith, Hextall, Bryzgalov, Emery... He made some comments on facebook. Big deal. Is he a right-wing reactionary, conspiracy theorist, nut? Maybe.

But to say he makes waves and is a lockerroom distraction? I don't buy it. He was one of if not the most respected guys on that B's cup team. This isn't Aaron Hernandez or Santonio Holmes we're talking about. If you watched that cup run, you'd have to agree that Thomas was EXACTLY the type of goalie you want.

Also, I could be wrong but didn't he say all along that he was planning on just taking one year off? If so, nothing to be skeptical about.

Who knows exactly how he'd be received in another lockerroom but this is the NHL. Dozens of 20/30 year old millionaires with huge egos playing a contact sport in one room. I bet there are plenty that cause distractions.

 

[JeffNYI]

But to say he makes waves and is a lockerroom distraction? I don't buy it.

Okay but would you agree he has the potential to become a lockerroom distraction?

I admit that if Thomas suited up for some kind of secret try-out or practice and our head coach, goalie coach and GM are completely unanimous that Thomas is top-10 in the NHL and too good to pass up - as a fan I'd obviously support taking the risk.

But if he's just going to be an average goalie in 2013-14 I'd rather we just pass altogether and hope for the best from Nabokov..

 

[LeapOnOver]

Thomas at one point had lost a LOT of money investing in gold due the fact he thought the United States economy was set to imminently collapse... so I'm curious/skeptical if his return isn't as much for financial reasons as it is for hockey reasons..

But make no mistake. Tim Thomas is a total joke around the league for the way he bought a ton of weapons and prepared for the worst in Colorado.. Now if the man can still keep the puck out of the net, all it takes is one team to decide that they're willing to take the good with the bad and he's back in the league.. but to say he wouldn't be a locker-room distraction isn't really true..

I find this hard to believe....gold has NEVER dropped in value in the last 30 years. Unless he bought it when he was a kid I don't believe that....