LOCKOUT: Day Fifteen – The hidden genius of Tim Thomas?

Apr 22, 2012; Washington, DC, USA; Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas (30) makes a glove save in the overtime period against the Washington Capitals in the first round of the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs at Verizon Center. Boston won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-US PRESSWIRE

OK, a lot of us in Bruins Nation thought Tim Thomas had gone a little insane. Tim Thomas, the man that gave Boston its first Stanley Cup Championship in nearly four decades had one interesting year. First, Tim Thomas chose not to go to the White House to celebrate their Cup win with President Obama. The local press was evenly split. Some of the press lauded over an individuals right to use the opportunity as a political statement, while others called it a distraction.  A few classless articles decided to throw out an argument of racism without officially saying it (and getting themselves a few million dollars in bad press and a libel suit to boot.).

Then came the infamous Facebook post. The one where #30 told the world that he had decided to take a one year sabbatical to focus on friends, family, and faith.  Tim’s career as a Bruin, or even in the NHL was now in doubt. He was saddling the Bruins with a huge hit to the salary cap. On some level, you had to assume that Thomas was daring the Bruins’ organization to trade him. Finally, he was on Facebook again supporting Chik-Fil-A’s CEO for his stance on traditional marriage. Co-workers and friends have often asked me my opinion on all of this (not to mention make fun of my hetero-man crush on Tim). I tell them that I appreciate the HOCKEY player for everything he has done for Boston and Bruins Nation, even if I don’t agree with what the hockey PLAYER is saying.

The Bruins choose to keep Thomas. However, they declare that Tuukka Rask will be the new #1 goaltender, backed up by Providence Bruin Anton Khudobin.  So, Tim Thomas fades into obscurity while the Boston Bruins start the Tuukka Time era.

Then the whole NHL gets nailed with a lockout.

Now, it almost seems like Tim Thomas saw it coming. He did post on Facebook  about an imminent economic collapse that was going to hit America. While it might have been too broad of a brush to paint with, he did seem to see trouble on the horizon and get out of the way.  Now, I’m not saying Tim Thomas is goalie turned prophet.  On some level though, I think he read between the lines. Well Tim, with the way the CBA is playing out, you might not even needed to be missed at all.