Tim Thomas is worth the risk for the Panthers

Thomas's comeback may not work, of course. Any player, especially a goalie who has been away from the game for a year, has a lot of rust to get rid of. Thomas

Thomas was one of the best goalies in the NHL when he walked away from the game last year :: Gene J. Puskar/AP

Thomas's comeback may not work, of course. Any player, especially a goalie who has been away from the game for a year, has a lot of rust to get rid of. Thomas may never return to the form that made him the best in the game. But even if he is a few notches below that level this time around, he would be a significant upgrade for a Panthers team in desperate need of a proven goalie. This is only a test, but the upside is huge.