Official 11-12 NHL Regular Season Thread

[Loosie]

So the Bruins visted the White House today...minus Tim Thomas. He declined the inviation stating he will give a statment on his Facebook account tonight as to why. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=385861.

Also, I find it funny that on the Bruins page in the group shot you see front and centre (behind Obama)...TOMAS F'n KABERLE! http://bruins.nhl.com/?navid=nav-teamnav-bos And whoever that is behind and to the left is giving him a dirty look. You think's it made worse by the fact the he's a Hab now?

[batdad]

Line of the day from some guy on twitter:

"Tim Thomas refuses to go to White House, because he hates Obama and his politics. In related news, Canucks make trillion dollar contract offer to Obama"

And really...really Tim?...wow.

Other good news of the day...Obama escapes injury after onslaught of Bruins. Shanahan says "I have to say that Marchand's head shot is being misunderstood. It is all because of that Abe Lincoln thing."

[philou21]

The picture on the Bruins home page doesn't even show Kaberle you just see Obama with his big smile. It was probably wanted by the team.

[archibalduk]

"Tim Thomas refuses to go to White House, because he hates Obama and his politics."

What the heck?! He's better than Bush isn't he?! /opens a big can of worms

[batdad]

Not according to Mr. Thomas. He is a special kind of guy.

[philou21]

Maybe he is racist who knows?

[philou21]

Three games suspension for Ovechkin hit on Michalek. I haven't seen it though but it's still good that he is suspended.

[Loosie]

So according to Thomas...BIG BAD GOVERNMENT IS EVIL!!! (And it apparently doesn't even matter if its Democrats or Republicans). Also he was the only US-born player on the cup winning squad.

[McQwak]

TOMAS F'n KABERLE! http://bruins.nhl.com/?navid=nav-teamnav-bos And whoever that is behind and to the left is giving him a dirty look. You think's it made worse by the fact the he's a Hab now?

He's David Krejci and I they are friends.

On Thomas topic:

I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People.

This is being done at the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial level. This is in direct opposition to the Constitution and the Founding Fathers vision for the Federal government.

Because I believe this, today I exercised my right as a Free Citizen, and did not visit the White House. This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country. This was about a choice I had to make as an INDIVIDUAL.

This is the only public statement I will be making on this topic. TT

As an organization we were honored by President Obama's invitation to the White House. It was a great day and a perfect way to cap our team's achievement from last season. It was a day that none of us will soon forget. We are disappointed that Tim chose not to join us, and his views certainly do not reflect those of the Jacobs family or the Bruins organization. This will be the last public comment from the Bruins organization on this subject.

[bruins72]

Maybe he is racist who knows?

Apparently, TSN's Dave Hodge thinks he is. He tweeted...

"TSNDaveHodge Dave Hodge - TSN
Don't know if it's fair to point this out, but Tim Thomas has three children named Kiley, Kelsey and Keegan."

I think that's a pretty low blow. Not agreeing with the way our government is being run is NOT racist. It's nothing against Obama personally. Tim Thomas' statement said he's got a problem with both major political parties in the US. They're both to blame. He thinks that they're running the country poorly and he chose to make a statement by not posing with the POTUS for a photo op. I respect that.

[batdad]

Still..you go. This is a big deal to his teammates, and to the team and for hockey exposure. I get his "ideals" and all that, as I too understand it. But now the only thing his teammates and supposed friends are hearing about this is "So...what do you think about your goalie not going, and not pumping the president's tires?" It takes away from the experience for the team, as that is all they have to deal with. Individually I understand his stance...but he should have brought this out in public months ago, or he should have dealt with it a whole lot better....it is just a distraction to an experience the rest of the team and every Stanley Cup Championship team in the past, has looked forward to. It is somewhat selfish in my opinion.

But yeah...Dave Hodge....getting a bit senile

[philou21]

"TSNDaveHodge Dave Hodge - TSN
Don't know if it's fair to point this out, but Tim Thomas has three children named Kiley, Kelsey and Keegan."

Wow that is some stupid comment. After what McQwak's posted, I respect the decision of Thomas and he is right in what he's saying, he can do want he want.

[bruins72]

Still..you go. This is a big deal to his teammates, and to the team and for hockey exposure. I get his "ideals" and all that, as I too understand it. But now the only thing his teammates and supposed friends are hearing about this is "So...what do you think about your goalie not going, and not pumping the president's tires?" It takes away from the experience for the team, as that is all they have to deal with. Individually I understand his stance...but he should have brought this out in public months ago, or he should have dealt with it a whole lot better....it is just a distraction to an experience the rest of the team and every Stanley Cup Championship team in the past, has looked forward to. It is somewhat selfish in my opinion.

But yeah...Dave Hodge....getting a bit senile

Is meeting the president of the US really important to all of his teammates? Thomas was one of two US born players on the team (Steve Kampfer was the other and he was a healthy scratch for the Cup run). Basically, they're all getting a pat on the back and the president gets a photo op. Thomas is there for them when it matters. I don't think it's selfish for him to take a stand. Also, this isn't the first time this has been done. Other did it when Bush was in office. Everyone has their panties in a twist because it's Obama.

Also, Thomas did make the team aware of his intention to skip this White House visit months ago. If the team had wanted to, they could have released a statement about it before. They decided not to.

[batdad]

Lame stand admitting you are a lover of freaking Glenn Beck, but that is a whole other story. So basically...with that new information for me..the team is as dumb as he is.

I personally do not care what Tim Thomas does or what party he belongs to. Not saying the team cares whether he goes or not, or about his views. Saying it would be annoying as all Adam Oates to me if I got asked about Timmeh and skipping the white house 20000 times if I was his teammate. It says alot about society that this is being microanalyzed...but it is what it is...and now the Bruins get to spend more time answering dumb arse questions.

No matter what we think of how silly the White House visit is...it is a tradition that has been happening forever, and gets hockey some exposure. Timmeh not going makes hockey players look like dickwads in some people's minds. And in GLenn Beck's mind...oh wait...nevermind.

[Loosie]

So Ovie is sitting out of the All-Star game becuase he's suspended. Says he dosen't deserve to be there becuase he is suspended. And you know what I agree with him. It's funny because comments on various pages are making out to be a prima donna/whiner and what not becuase of this. These are porbably the same people that would pain and complain about him if he actually played at the ASG while being suspended.

Now that brings up another question. Ovechkin was suspeded for three games, which carries over the all-star break. Should the ASG count as one of the three games?

[batdad]

That is an easy question to answer. Suspension occured in a "league" game. Only games that would count for the suspension are "League and Playoff"...All Star game is neither of those, and Ovi not being paid in his salary he is losing for the all star game...so no. Clearly and obviously all star game does not count. And OVi was not going to go regardless of suspension.

[philou21]

I personnally think that with his actual season and his past season he shouldn't even be nominated for the ASG. The just invited him because it's Ovy and Crosby isn't there so they just want one of the top superstars to be there. There is plenty of players they could've invited instead of him I'm sure.

[archibalduk]

On a related topic, am I the only one who isn't all that fussed about the All-Star Game? I just don't see the big deal. It's usually just a fairly dull exhibition game that ends in double-digits.

Having said that, I do like the skills competitions though.

[philou21]

When I was younger I liked the game, now I don't watch it anymore, too boring. There is nice goals but I can watch them in the news quickly. The only thing that I like is the skills competition, because it can show us what players can really do with space and time to make their moves.

[batdad]

All star game is exhibition. DOes nothing for me. It is a corporate snooze fest, and only the little kids who are just playing novice, atom and peewee want to see all their faves play a scrimmy. They then go to the rink and emulate and try the stuff they see...which makes them better players. Once the kids hit 14 years old they don't care anymore about it.

[nino33]

I too have no use for the All-Star game, and I myself don't care about the "skills competition" either (hockey is a team game IMO, and many of the "skills" pushed nowadays have IMO little relevance to the actual team game of hockey...it goes well with the NBA style commercialization of the game though).

The way concussions are going, and the ever increasing emphasis on "skills" that require a no hit style of game, the All-Star game style of play could well be the future of hockey...

[batdad]

To the Bruins fans who love Mr. Thomas, it seems maybe the team is not so fond?


Article in deadspin story
Of particular interest: the front office guy calling Tim an "expletive selfish expletive" and saying Tim has no friends. Hmm....

Things are not so lovely in Boston anymore. Just like in Vancouver...you win...you get hated.

[bruins72]

I take those articles with a grain of salt. Deadspin likes to sensationalize things. As for the Globe article, the Boston Globe is a very liberal newspaper in an extremely liberal state. They don't like conservatives or anyone who doesn't think like them. I've lived most of my life in Massachusetts and the people here all think like that.

[nino33]

Tim Thomas is a 37 year old goaltender whose contract will soon expire, the Bruins have a much younger, seemingly capable replacement in Rask, Thomas is still playing well and likely won’t take a pay cut….so the Bruins and Thomas may part company – that IMO is the (hockey) story

The rest is just “the need to sell papers” sensationalism

For me the political/social positions of those in the entertainment industry are best ignored..."That's nice dear, now go play" (grandmother voice)

[Loosie]

Liles signed to a 4-year extension worth 15.5M. Leafs signed him for a smaller cap hit than what he has now! Awesome deal by Burke.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=386045