Tim Thomas Shows the Dangers of Turning Your Back on an Organization

From Bostonian hero to outcast.

That's basically how you could describe former Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas after he decided to take a year off from hockey following the 2011-12 campaign.

Now, he finds himself without a team despite declaring that he is ready to play in the NHL again. Can't say I'm surprised.

To say Thomas' decision to depart Boston for a vacation in Colorado was shocking would be an understatement. The 39-year-old was coming off his fourth All-Star appearance. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy and the Vezina Trophy in 2011 when the Bruins won the Stanley Cup.

But, not only did Thomas leave the Bruins with a year left on his four-year, $20 million contract, he also left the Bruins with a $5 million cap hit. Fortunately for the organization, the Bruins were able to send that cap hit over to the New York Islanders in February for a future second-round draft pick, but Thomas' reputation took a significant blow regardless.

This is a cautionary tale for all athletes. The story? Don't expect to get by on your name alone in professional sports.

We've seen this tale in multiple sports. Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson were multiple-time Pro Bowlers in the NFL, but their careers derailed in their late 30s when teams decided they were more trouble than they were worth.New York Yankees third baseman and three-time MVP Alex Rodriguez is currently in a heap of trouble after being linked in a performance-enhancing drug scandal. Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun has already been suspended for the remainder of the 2013 season for his involvement in the scandal.

Obviously, each of these players has seen his reputation take a hit for a wide variety of reasons, but, the fact remains, athletes are not invincible to taking downward spirals. In fact, some of the biggest names in sports tend to fall faster, if only for their inherent belief that they are above everyone else.

What Thomas did was selfish, no question about it. He signed a contract with the Bruins and he should have felt obligated to at least see that final year through. Instead, he high-tailed it to Colorado, leaving the Bruins in his dust.

Of course, Thomas' explanation was about as good as it gets.

In January, he posted on his Facebook page, via NESN.com:

"

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 as 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.

"

Well played. 

Because if you blame Thomas for ditching the Bruins because of "friends, family and faith," you are truly a monster, no?

Thomas has the right as an American to do what he chooses. He also had the right to bail on the Bruins' meeting with President Barack Obama following their Stanley Cup championship, citing his political beliefs.

But Thomas also has to understand that such actions can affect his reputation and standing in the NHL moving forward. Right now, not only are there few options for the veteran goaltender throughout the league, the few teams that may take a chance on him may not particularly feel comfortable with the way he left Boston. That is understandable, considering no one knows if he will, on a moment's notice, bolt for Colorado again...or wherever he sees fit.

Thomas gave a lot to the Bruins organization, and fans and the organization should be thankful for that, but it doesn't mean what he did was OK.

Tim Thomas the four-time All-Star and Stanley Cup winner may as well not even exist anymore. Teams are looking at him in an entirely new way.