Say that five times fast!
Entering this season, the Bruins have arguably the best 1-2 tandem in all of the NHL, and I hesitate to label them as a 1-2 tandem. Clearly, there is going to be a competition in camp for the number 1 spot. Rask may be the favorite to take the top spot based on his performance last season. Rask started every game in the playoffs last year as the Bruins clearly decided to go with Rask down the stretch and in the playoffs. Some of that might be attributed to the fact that Thomas was injured, so with a clean bill of health Thomas could challenge Rask again for the spot.
Anyone who knows me and talks hockey with me regularly knows how much I have dogged the Bruins for the Thomas contract. The extension was a bit much for an older goalie who was rewarded for past performance. Bruins fans were looking forward to the day this off season when Thomas was moved for a forward or d-man. However, the free agent goalie market was littered with talent like Turco, Ellis and Niemi to name a few, and so the price tag for Thomas was too high and the market never truly materialized as many thought it would. Now, Bruins fans should be thankful that Thomas was not traded. I will admit, I was all for moving Tim, but as the summer moved on, I began to think how important it was to keep Thomas on the roster.
Thomas didn't have a bad year last season, but when you are coming off the Veizna Trophy expectations tend to be much higher. Thomas' numbers were still solid (2.56 GAA, SV% .915) but without offensive support, he suffered a 17-18 record. If he had offensive support, he would have potentially put up much better numbers. Take these goalies for example:
Chicago: Huet - GAA 2.50 26W 14L
LA Kings: Quick - GAA 2.54 39W 24L
Nashville: Rinne - GAA 2.53 32W 16L
Vancouver: Luongo - GAA 2.57 40W 22L
Pitt: Fleury - GAA 2.65 37W 21L
With an improved offense this year, both Rask and Thomas should have the ability to put up some great numbers and records. The expectations for Rask entering the season are much like those that Thomas experienced last year, which to me are going to be much too high. Look, its no secret that Rask had an incredible season last year putting up league leading numbers in both GAA and SV%. I expect him to be the starter as the team makes the trip to Prague, but I think you are going to see a pretty balanced slate this year in terms of starts. Rask struggled in the second half of the Philly series and he readily admitted that he was wearing down. He is going to be a phenomenal NHL goalie, but there isn't the need to rush him into that position especially with Thomas on the roster. I think the starts will be split 46 to 36 in favor of Rask. Thomas has been very professional in taking a back seat to Rask in both the season and playoffs, and I expect the same from him this year. Would he like to be the number 1 in Boston? Absolutely. But I think he also understands the role he will be given on the roster and how he can help contribute both on the ice and with the development of TUUKKA.
Regardless, the Bruins have much to look forward to in net with a rising star in Rask and a cagey veteran insurance policy in Thomas.
No comments:
Post a Comment