Joe Thornton Skating with Former Team While Weighing His Options
Joe Thornton is back in San Jose skating with players in the Sharks organization, but that does not mean he is returning to the organization. Thornton spent the last couple seasons bouncing around the NHL in pursuit of the elusive Stanley Cup, alas he would not obtain the oversized goblet.
Corey Masisak, Sharks' correspondent for The Athletic, reports that the 1,700+ game veteran has moved his family back to the Bay Area as he sorts out his plans for the upcoming season. Thornton has repeatedly stated that he plans on being in and around 'the boys' for the rest of his life, although in what capacity is subject to change as he gets up there in age.
Thornton spent 1,104 games over 15 seasons in San Jose, scoring 1,055 points in a Sharks' uniform. The 43-year old has had us all in limbo for the summer, wondering 'will he retire or won't he?'
With 24 seasons under his belt and after being a healthy scratch most of the last two seasons, he could still receive a PTO, as those are being handed out like candy. Still, if he decides to hang up the skates, he is a first-ballot hall-of-famer and will almost certainly have a job lined up post-career.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 11 | 242 ANSWERS Joe Thornton Skating with Former Team While Weighing His Options Will Joe Thornton retire this summer? | ||
| Yes | 145 | 59.9 % |
| No | 97 | 40.1 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Kyle Connor | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Alex Tuch | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Owen Power | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Michael Bunting | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Drew Helleson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jirí Kulich | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Isac Lundestrom | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Vladislav Namestnikov | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Nino Niederreiter | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Gabriel Vilardi | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jason Zucker | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Leo Carlsson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Nikolaj Ehlers | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Ross Johnston | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Evgeni Malkin | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Josh Morrissey | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Cole Perfetti | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Bryan Rust | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Mark Scheifele | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Trevor Zegras | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 20 | 17 | 3 | - | 34 | |
Wild | 19 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 29 | |
Hurricanes | 19 | 14 | 5 | - | 28 | |
Devils | 22 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 28 | |
Capitals | 19 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 27 | |
Golden Knights | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 25 | |
Panthers | 20 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 25 | |
Flames | 20 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||