New Thomas Interview @ Athletic

[St. Charles Bronson]

Looking forward to seeing what Thomas and his line can do this year. He's not flashy, and he doesn't really dominate games the way some other "star players" do, but he's very skilled and seems to be maturing into a leadership role.

There is an element of fans around the league who know what he can bring.

Agreed. And he's ALREADY a PPG player at a premium position on a team-friendly contract.

[gpe13579]

I'm as big of a Thomas fan as anybody.

I think he does retire as the all time leader scorer for the Blues and with some team success a shot at the HOF. Needs to stay healthy for all of that of course.

That being said, it's what's not being done and not being said that indicates to me there is something more they want to see from him.

The fact they haven't named him yet is telling. And a guy like Rivers, when discussing Thomas always hesitates to strongly endorse Thomas as captain. When asked today if 18 would consider it a slap in the face to NOT be named captain, Rivers said "I don't know, you would have to ask him" and left it at that.

I have zero insider knowledge of anything but Rivers certainly does. I don't like or dislike Rivers but he knows things we don't and of course can't always say what it is.

I'm going to be the annoying guy for a second and act like I can read the tea leaves (I hate when people do it but I'm going to do it anyway).

Is it possible that Thomas' off season conditioning isn't always at the level the Blues would expect from their captain? As big of a fan of his that I am I can't say he really looks like a finely tuned athlete as much as I would prefer.

The guys is a stud player so it just seems to me there has to be something that they want to see more or less of in him before naming him captain.

Or I could just flat be wrong too. That possible.

[DawgDad]

I'm as big of a Thomas fan as anybody.

I think he does retire as the all time leader scorer for the Blues and with some team success a shot at the HOF. Needs to stay healthy for all of that of course.

That being said, it's what's not being done and not being said that indicates to me there is something more they want to see from him.

The fact they haven't named him yet is telling. And a guy like Rivers, when discussing Thomas always hesitates to strongly endorse Thomas as captain. When asked today if 18 would consider it a slap in the face to NOT be named captain, Rivers said "I don't know, you would have to ask him" and left it at that.

I have zero insider knowledge of anything but Rivers certainly does. I don't like or dislike Rivers but he knows things we don't and of course can't always say what it is.

I'm going to be the annoying guy for a second and act like I can read the tea leaves (I hate when people do it but I'm going to do it anyway).

Is it possible that Thomas' off season conditioning isn't always at the level the Blues would expect from their captain? As big of a fan of his that I am I can't say he really looks like a finely tuned athlete as much as I would prefer.

The guys is a stud player so it just seems to me there has to be something that they want to see more or less of in him before naming him captain.

Or I could just flat be wrong too. That possible.

It's summer, we're all a bit bored without hockey games, chatter away.

The past two seasons Thomas turned up the burners in the second halves. He got dinged up last fall. At his best he's a pest with the ability to absolutely frustrate a player like MacKinnon. Management would like to see that consistently over a full season. He's a PPG 200' player, it's in him. Between a healthy Holloway and a blossoming Snuggerud RT is a threat for 90-100 points. Frankly, that is a reasonable target, expectation. He and his A-list linemates need to stay healthy, and the boys need to click on the PP. All quite possible.

[gpe13579]

I'm as big of a Thomas fan as anybody.

I think he does retire as the all time leader scorer for the Blues and with some team success a shot at the HOF. Needs to stay healthy for all of that of course.

That being said, it's what's not being done and not being said that indicates to me there is something more they want to see from him.

The fact they haven't named him yet is telling. And a guy like Rivers, when discussing Thomas always hesitates to strongly endorse Thomas as captain. When asked today if 18 would consider it a slap in the face to NOT be named captain, Rivers said "I don't know, you would have to ask him" and left it at that.

I have zero insider knowledge of anything but Rivers certainly does. I don't like or dislike Rivers but he knows things we don't and of course can't always say what it is.

I'm going to be the annoying guy for a second and act like I can read the tea leaves (I hate when people do it but I'm going to do it anyway).

Is it possible that Thomas' off season conditioning isn't always at the level the Blues would expect from their captain? As big of a fan of his that I am I can't say he really looks like a finely tuned athlete as much as I would prefer.

The guys is a stud player so it just seems to me there has to be something that they want to see more or less of in him before naming him captain.

Or I could just flat be wrong too. That possible.

It's summer, we're all a bit bored without hockey games, chatter away.

The past two seasons Thomas turned up the burners in the second halves. He got dinged up last fall. At his best he's a pest with the ability to absolutely frustrate a player like MacKinnon. Management would like to see that consistently over a full season. He's a PPG 200' player, it's in him. Between a healthy Holloway and a blossoming Snuggerud RT is a threat for 90-100 points. Frankly, that is a reasonable target, expectation. He and his A-list linemates need to stay healthy, and the boys need to click on the PP. All quite possible.

For sure that is all possible. And I think likely.

To me the next captain is easy and it's 18 so something has to be holding it up.

[DawgDad]

I'm as big of a Thomas fan as anybody.

I think he does retire as the all time leader scorer for the Blues and with some team success a shot at the HOF. Needs to stay healthy for all of that of course.

That being said, it's what's not being done and not being said that indicates to me there is something more they want to see from him.

The fact they haven't named him yet is telling. And a guy like Rivers, when discussing Thomas always hesitates to strongly endorse Thomas as captain. When asked today if 18 would consider it a slap in the face to NOT be named captain, Rivers said "I don't know, you would have to ask him" and left it at that.

I have zero insider knowledge of anything but Rivers certainly does. I don't like or dislike Rivers but he knows things we don't and of course can't always say what it is.

I'm going to be the annoying guy for a second and act like I can read the tea leaves (I hate when people do it but I'm going to do it anyway).

Is it possible that Thomas' off season conditioning isn't always at the level the Blues would expect from their captain? As big of a fan of his that I am I can't say he really looks like a finely tuned athlete as much as I would prefer.

The guys is a stud player so it just seems to me there has to be something that they want to see more or less of in him before naming him captain.

Or I could just flat be wrong too. That possible.

It's summer, we're all a bit bored without hockey games, chatter away.

The past two seasons Thomas turned up the burners in the second halves. He got dinged up last fall. At his best he's a pest with the ability to absolutely frustrate a player like MacKinnon. Management would like to see that consistently over a full season. He's a PPG 200' player, it's in him. Between a healthy Holloway and a blossoming Snuggerud RT is a threat for 90-100 points. Frankly, that is a reasonable target, expectation. He and his A-list linemates need to stay healthy, and the boys need to click on the PP. All quite possible.

For sure that is all possible. And I think likely.

To me the next captain is easy and it's 18 so something has to be holding it up.

Camp?

[Pierre McGuire]

No need to announce it now, probably when they do that little hockey’s back party at ballpark village.
It’s going to be Thomas…nobody else is in the ballpark of being a captain at this point. Thomas is our best player, our leader, it’s a no brainer.

[John Cocktoastin]

The fact they haven't named Thomas speaks volumes. He's the logical choice if you're going by tenure, inclination. Not to mention a Cup. But...

Time and time again, the name I hear when Army and Monty talk leadership is Neighbours. I might have missed it about Thomas, but quotes like "mature beyond his years" and "willingness to be accountable for the good and the bad" are out there about Jake. They've also commented about the game he played with the broken bone. He's the only combo I've consistently heard of being vocal and leading by his play. For me, Thomas' body language alone gives me pause.

Also - you don't put your future captain on the trade block if you believe he's your guy going forward.

Again, the fact that they are going with a committee is telling. We'll see how it goes.

[STL fan in MN]

The fact they haven't named Thomas speaks volumes.

Again, the fact that they are going with a committee is telling. We'll see how it goes.

Does it speak volumes? Why should they have announced it by now? It’s called marketing. Teams will wait to announce things when it’ll create the most press/buzz.

So they weren’t going to do it during the playoffs, they weren’t going to do it around the draft, they weren’t going to do it around the start of free agency…they now have the behind the scenes draft thing coming out in a few days so probably not around then either. After that is open though.

But I wouldn’t expect it in August. Early Sept makes more sense to me to get the most buzz as training camp will be coming up soon then and all the guys should be heading back into town then so they can get all 4 (or however many will end up wearing letters) up on a stage, have the new captain walk out on stage wearing his jersey with a C on it for the first time etc., have Kerbs or someone interview him a bit etc. Then tie some sort of random Thomas ticket package which will create a slight ticket selling bump. It’ll probably be the main hockey story for a couple days if they time it well.

But it’s also possible they do open the season with a committee of 4 As. But you say it like that’s for sure going to happen. I recall Army mentioning it as a possibility but definitely wasn’t worded like it was a certainty. My gut says they’ll name a captain and it’ll be RT. They’re just waiting for the best timing to announce it.

[stlblue06]

Looking forward to seeing what Thomas and his line can do this year. He's not flashy, and he doesn't really dominate games the way some other "star players" do, but he's very skilled and seems to be maturing into a leadership role.

There is an element of fans around the league who know what he can bring.

I was shocked by how many fans of other teams undervalued Thomas on HF Boards and certainly places like X.

[stlblue06]

No need to announce it now, probably when they do that little hockey’s back party at ballpark village.
It’s going to be Thomas…nobody else is in the ballpark of being a captain at this point. Thomas is our best player, our leader, it’s a no brainer.

It’s not even close. Just look at the Blues record with Thomas in the lineup vs not since he’s been a Blue. It’s night/day in terms of success. He also played hurt for a good chunk of last season. He was healthy for the first time post Olympic break.

[dhsux]

I'm as big of a Thomas fan as anybody.

I think he does retire as the all time leader scorer for the Blues and with some team success a shot at the HOF. Needs to stay healthy for all of that of course.

That being said, it's what's not being done and not being said that indicates to me there is something more they want to see from him.

The fact they haven't named him yet is telling. And a guy like Rivers, when discussing Thomas always hesitates to strongly endorse Thomas as captain. When asked today if 18 would consider it a slap in the face to NOT be named captain, Rivers said "I don't know, you would have to ask him" and left it at that.

I have zero insider knowledge of anything but Rivers certainly does. I don't like or dislike Rivers but he knows things we don't and of course can't always say what it is.

I'm going to be the annoying guy for a second and act like I can read the tea leaves (I hate when people do it but I'm going to do it anyway).

Is it possible that Thomas' off season conditioning isn't always at the level the Blues would expect from their captain? As big of a fan of his that I am I can't say he really looks like a finely tuned athlete as much as I would prefer.

The guys is a stud player so it just seems to me there has to be something that they want to see more or less of in him before naming him captain.

Or I could just flat be wrong too. That possible.

Rivers said Petro should get a statue too.

I really think this is a subject where a fan can know as much as a Rivers, short of locker room issues which don't apply here.

[dhsux]

Looking forward to seeing what Thomas and his line can do this year. He's not flashy, and he doesn't really dominate games the way some other "star players" do, but he's very skilled and seems to be maturing into a leadership role.

There is an element of fans around the league who know what he can bring.

I was shocked by how many fans of other teams undervalued Thomas on HF Boards and certainly places like X.

Agree. He is undervalued and seems under evaluated as well....but many came out clamoring for him when the trade rumor was out there.

[John Cocktoastin]

The fact they haven't named Thomas speaks volumes.

Again, the fact that they are going with a committee is telling. We'll see how it goes.

Does it speak volumes? Why should they have announced it by now? It’s called marketing. Teams will wait to announce things when it’ll create the most press/buzz.

So they weren’t going to do it during the playoffs, they weren’t going to do it around the draft, they weren’t going to do it around the start of free agency…they now have the behind the scenes draft thing coming out in a few days so probably not around then either. After that is open though.

But I wouldn’t expect it in August. Early Sept makes more sense to me to get the most buzz as training camp will be coming up soon then and all the guys should be heading back into town then so they can get all 4 (or however many will end up wearing letters) up on a stage, have the new captain walk out on stage wearing his jersey with a C on it for the first time etc., have Kerbs or someone interview him a bit etc. Then tie some sort of random Thomas ticket package which will create a slight ticket selling bump. It’ll probably be the main hockey story for a couple days if they time it well.

But it’s also possible they do open the season with a committee of 4 As. But you say it like that’s for sure going to happen. I recall Army mentioning it as a possibility but definitely wasn’t worded like it was a certainty. My gut says they’ll name a captain and it’ll be RT. They’re just waiting for the best timing to announce it.

A lot of talk about a committee if Thomas is a sure bet to wear the C. We'll C.

"I think the League has evolved into more of a leadership by committee. But I'm not dead-set on one path yet. And ultimately I'll let Alex [Steen] and Jim make that decision."
- Armstrong

"I don't think it's necessary to have a captain if you don't have a captain..That's going to be a lot of discussion for Army, Steener, with myself."
- Montgomery

[BalotelliMassive]

"I don't think it's necessary to have a captain if you don't have a captain.."
- Montgomery

What? Don't treat the team like a gang of rookies - it has to be Parayko or Thomas based on tenure and importance to the team. Having 4 A's on a team with this many changes sounds like a recipe for disaster.

[The Average Gatsby]

The fact they haven't named Thomas speaks volumes.

Again, the fact that they are going with a committee is telling. We'll see how it goes.

Does it speak volumes? Why should they have announced it by now? It’s called marketing. Teams will wait to announce things when it’ll create the most press/buzz.

So they weren’t going to do it during the playoffs, they weren’t going to do it around the draft, they weren’t going to do it around the start of free agency…they now have the behind the scenes draft thing coming out in a few days so probably not around then either. After that is open though.

But I wouldn’t expect it in August. Early Sept makes more sense to me to get the most buzz as training camp will be coming up soon then and all the guys should be heading back into town then so they can get all 4 (or however many will end up wearing letters) up on a stage, have the new captain walk out on stage wearing his jersey with a C on it for the first time etc., have Kerbs or someone interview him a bit etc. Then tie some sort of random Thomas ticket package which will create a slight ticket selling bump. It’ll probably be the main hockey story for a couple days if they time it well.

But it’s also possible they do open the season with a committee of 4 As. But you say it like that’s for sure going to happen. I recall Army mentioning it as a possibility but definitely wasn’t worded like it was a certainty. My gut says they’ll name a captain and it’ll be RT. They’re just waiting for the best timing to announce it.

A lot of talk about a committee if Thomas is a sure bet to wear the C. We'll C.

"I think the League has evolved into more of a leadership by committee. But I'm not dead-set on one path yet. And ultimately I'll let Alex [Steen] and Jim make that decision."
- Armstrong

"I don't think it's necessary to have a captain if you don't have a captain..That's going to be a lot of discussion for Army, Steener, with myself."
- Montgomery

Not naming Thomas captain would be a mistake. He’s clearly the leader of this team. He’s the most important player by far. If you don’t think he’s captain material you might as well trade him and rebuild.

[Army's Mom]

I'll play along.

If they're not sure about Thomas as Captain, that surely would have come up in their offseason one-on-ones. If there are lingering concerns about his body language, offseason fitness level, etc., those surely would have been made known to RT by now. And, once they've aired their grievances, it forces a decision - as The Average Gatsby said, if you still don't think he's captain material (especially after he heard you call him fat and too emotional and presumably comes to camp in better shape), you better trade him.

Now, whether it's for marketing timing or to see if he comes to camp ripped, either way it points to naming him Captain (or deciding he's not the next Captain and letting that fester, or trading him) at the start of camp.

That's what I'm betting on. Maybe sell some 18-game ticket packs?