Tim Thomas and the 25 Biggest Head-Cases in the NHL

Tim Thomas confirmed on his Facebook account that he will be taking next year off from hockey.

He wrote in a post.

"

At the age of 38, I believe it is time to put my time and energies into those areas and relationships that I have neglected. That is why at this time I feel the most important thing I can do in my life is to reconnect with the three F's. Friends, Family, and Faith. This is what I plan on doing over the course of the next year.

"

Thomas' decision leaves the hockey world in a state of confusion, wondering if the goalie's decision is the smartest choice.

A number of other NHL figures leave fans wondering what is going on in their heads, for a variety of reasons.

George Parros

The longtime Anaheim Ducks enforcer has a bit of silliness in his history.

In the 2010-11 season, during a scrum with the St. Louis Blues, Parros seemingly wanted to fight Barret Jackman. After being unable to do so, Parros flicked Jackman’s chin with his finger.

Also, Parros posted a picture to Twitter with the caption “Lifeguard on duty.” Though no lifeguard appears to be in the photo, there is a blow-up doll sitting in a pool.

Brad Marchand

Marchand punched Daniel Sedin in the head during the Stanley Cup Finals because he “felt like it.”

Excellent reasoning.

Milan Lucic

Lucic makes the cut for being an inconsistent tough guy. While he has no trouble checking a goalie and boarding smaller players like Jaroslav Spacek or Zac Rinaldo, when a big player like Georges Laraque or Colton Orr challenge him, he has a history of running away.

That’s not to say Lucic has not taken on tough guys. He fought Matt Carkner this season. But still, if he wants to be a tough guy, he should be consistent in his act.

Derek Roy

Roy publicly criticized his coach, which is not a wise move for an alternate captain.

Patrick Kane

Kane once reportedly punched a cab driver over a small change issue. More recently, he apparently drank so much the Blackhawks reportedly asked him to seek help.

Dan Carcillo

Nobody gives the nickname “Car Bomb” to a man who is able to control his emotions. Multiple NHL players found out over the years what happens when Carcillo is angry.

Adam Burish

Burish is famous for a number of prideful instances.

In 2010, he was embarrassed by Chris Pronger after calling the future Hall of Famer an idiot. In 2011, he had his orbital bone broken in a fight with Andrew Ference. In 2012, he threw a glove into the Winnipeg crowd.

Dustin Penner

Penner’s midseason injury due to pancakes was a little ridiculous, but the way the big man handled it lands him here. He calls himself a “pancake aficionado” and listed IHop.com as his website on Twitter.

Darryl Sutter

When the Los Angeles Kings coach was told his team is 3-3 in close-out games this playoffs, his reaction was not only incomprehensible but quite awkward. 

“Ha ha, awesome. Close out a series Game 4. (pause) Stanley Cup Finals, games the very same as the first two games.”

Carey Price

Price “Tebowed” in the middle of the 2012 All-Star Game Skills Competition. Is there further explanation necessary?

P.K. Subban

After an incident with former Philadelphia Flyers captain Mike Richards, Subban said of his playing style, “I just go out there and play hard and respect the players.” His on-ice actions rarely reflect the sentiments of a respectful hockey player.

Brian McGrattan

The best fighter in the NHL has a Twitter account that allows a look at his personal, less scary side.

When he’s not talking about playing the video game "Modern Warfare 3," McGrattan is confusing followers with out-of-context statements. This weekend he wrote to teammate Jordin Tootoo, “I want a seal suit.”

John Tortorella

While Tortorella may not exactly be crazy, his aggressive nature makes him an entertaining specimen. Any media interview of his is almost certain to have hostilities.

The NHL took particular objection to his comments this season. He was fined a total of $50,000 for two separate comments this season.

Sean Avery

Here is a player who apparently retired by saying he threw his skates in the Hudson River after a career of wild actions.

Chris Neil

Neil is not a person you want to make angry, which was clear after he took an apparent head-shot from Michael Del Zotto.

Peter Laviolette

Not only did Laviolette push an opposing player between periods of a game against the Dallas Stars this season, he also stood on top of the boards yelling at an opposing coach.

Even in Philadelphia that is a bit out of the ordinary.

Chris Pronger

Pronger stepped on a leg with his skate and stole pucks in the NHL.

Does anything more need to be said?

Scott Hartnell

Hartnell once threw a glove at an opponent during a breakaway opportunity. 

Ilya Bryzgalov

In addition to these incredible thoughts on the universe, Bryzgalov compared a dog to a beautiful woman, prematurely announced Sergei Bobrovsky as the starting goalie in the 2012 NHL Winter Classic and implied the Pittsburgh Penguins weren’t threatening because he is only afraid of bears.

Ian Laperriere

You have to be crazy to block a shot with your face. “Lappy” was brave enough to do it twice in one season. 

Gary Bettman

The NHL purchased the Phoenix Coyotes in 2009 and insisted on selling the team only to a buyer who would keep the Coyotes in Phoenix.

The team might have found that buyer in Greg Jamison. Is it really a success to keep a team in a city that  consistently delivers the worst attendance in the NHL? The franchise and NHL would be better off if the team were moved to a place that cares about hockey more, such as Quebec City. 

Raffi Torres

Torres’ brain may not be capable of understanding how cheap shots can affect the health of others, as evidenced by his ridiculously long history of dishing them out.

Sidney Crosby

“You cannot be the greatest player in the world and expect to get free rides. And what you’ve done, you’ve turned the league and teams against you.”

Don Cherry’s comments on Crosby could not be any more accurate. Crosby’s actions and words alike make him a target for other teams.

During a game late in the 2011-12 regular season between Crosby’s Pittburgh Penguins and Danny Briere’s Philadelphia Flyers, Briere was hit hard with just over a minute left in a blowout game. Flyers coach Peter Laviolette was upset with Penguins’ coach Dan Bylsma for putting out Pittsburgh’s tougher players at that point in the game.

Crosby’s comments on the hit? “I’m sure (Laviolette) doesn’t like to see one of their top players getting hit... Maybe he shouldn’t have put him out there.”

A concussion-prone player making light of an opponent’s injuries, practically saying it’s okay to take runs at stars in a blowout game.  He’s basically asking to get hit.

Steve MacIntyre

MacIntyre did not play much in the NHL this season, but that did not stop him from "losing his marbles,"  as this AHL commentator put it.

Roman Polak

As coach Ken Hitchcock said, “Don’t open that door.” 

Jason Sapunka covers the NHL and is available on Twitter for updates, commentary and analysis. He's quite the headcase himself.

Follow @moreSapunka