After finishing with the worst record in hockey in 2013, the Florida Panthers made a bold move this offseason by signing veteran goaltender Tim Thomas. Before an opening night win in Dallas, Thomas had not played since the end of the 2011-12 season as he took a year off from hockey to spend with his family.
Taking a year off is not always the smartest thing to do for a 39-year-old NHL goaltender, but Tim Thomas, as we know, is not your average goaltender.
This was not the first time Thomas has been in the news. He won the Vezina Trophy as playoff MVP when he led his Bruins to a Stanley Cup Championship in 2011, but refused to attend the ceremony honoring the team at the White House because of his political views.
Thomas was pegged the starter and only alowed two goals in his debut as a Panther. Since then, however, things have become a little murkier for him.
In his second game, Thomas and the rest of the Panthers were shelled by the St. Louis Blues to the tune of a 7-0 defeat. Thomas was pulled in the second period after allowing five goals.
Thomas also did not last long in his third game against the Philadelphia Flyers as he suffered a groin injury after surrendering two early goals to a winless Flyer team.
His injury likely will not keep him out for long, but in the meantime, the Panthers will get to take a look at their other goaltender: up-and-coming youngster Jacob Markstrom.
Markstrom split time with Jose Theodore in the Panther net last season, but was expected to take the job as the everyday starter once Theodore did not re-sign with the team. Markstrom is a young, talented goalie with all sorts of potential, and he could lead the Panthers to greener pastures very soon if he lives up to his expectations.
We have already seen a bit of him this year as he came in to replace Thomas in St. Louis and Philadelphia. He has played a total of 72 minutes (more than a full game) while Thomas has played 107.
Despite the fact that we have seen a decent sample size of both goaltenders, Markstrom has without question looked better than Thomas.
Thomas's goals-against average is 5.05 while Markstrom's sits at a cool 1.67. Markstrom's save percentage is at .935; much better than Thomas's .850.
Thomas has given up nine goals on 60 shots, but Markstrom has given up only two on 31 shots. It's still way too early to make good comparisons based on numbers, but Markstrom has averaged just under four goals per 60 shots while Thomas has already given up nine goals on 60 shots.
If Markstrom continues his high level of play while Thomas is injured, he should be given the starter's job. If he falters, head coach Kevin Dineen should split starts among the two until one emerges as the better choice for starter.
Remember, Thomas has had a rough start, but what can you expect for a guy who has not played an NHL game in a year and a half?