If the outbound message HC Davos staff sent with Joe Thornton is accurate, then Toronto Maple Leaf fans should be optimistic about the team’s offseason veteran addition. Loosely translated into English, the Swiss team said, “Big Joe got the “marching orders” of the Maple Leafs last night and leaves in the next few hours. We only have to say THANK YOU for the incredible time we spent together.”
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It wasn’t really the thank you that stands out. Davos general manager Raeto Raffainer also told Sportsnet’s Luke Fox that Thornton is far more than an aging veteran who might be able to provide some leadership for the Leafs team in 2020-21. He said, “…the impact he has on the ice, on the game, is still unbelievable.”
Over the past several months the 41-year-old has been staying game ready in the East Central city of Davos, Switzerland. The HC Davos team competes within the National League – otherwise known as the Swiss-A division. International hockey fans will also recognize HC Davos as the host of the invitational Spengler Cup. The city and club have hosted the annual event since 1923.
Thornton is now very familiar with the city, team, and league. In fact, this was his third stint with Davos HC. He previously spent the last two NHL lockout seasons in the Swiss Alpine city – in 2004-05 and 2012-13 respectively. On both occasions the big man was able to reach a point per game status with 10 goals and 44 assists over 40 games in 04/05, along with 12 goals and 24 assists in 33 games during the 12/13 season.
Thornton’s 2020 HC Davos Stint
In 12 games this season, Thornton was able to manage five goals and six assists for the club. His still effective play garnished high praise from the Davos HC GM.
Perhaps most importantly was Raffainer’s evaluation of the speed involved in the Swiss game and Thornton’s ability to continue producing. More specifically, the GM had this to say in a November article with Sportsnet’s Luke Fox, “We’re one of the fastest-skating leagues in the world, and he’s still producing one point per game.”
Raffainer also suggested that Thornton will be a big addition on the face-off dot, and on the power play. He also added that Toronto may want to manage his workload if the ultimate goal is to reach the second round in 2021. Insightful commentary from the Swiss league executive.
This is all good news. For Thornton, the Maple Leafs and the entire league. As more players start trickling back to North America should hopefully mean we will get some definitive NHL news on the 2020-21 season. The clock is certainly ticking for a January start date.
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