Boston Bruins

Joe Thornton Has Short-Listed Teams, Bruins Involved?

Has Joe Thornton created a short-list of teams he’s willing to accept a trade to before Monday. Is Boston on that list?

by
NHL Trade Talk
February 22, 2020

Wouldn’t it be something if by the end of Monday’s NHL Trade Deadine, Joe Thornton was back where it all started? According to Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now, that’s possible based on a source he believes has some accurate information.

Murphy claims a well-connected source is suggesting the Boston Bruins might not be done making moves after adding Ondrej Kase from the Anaheim Ducks yesterday. They could have their eyes on Joe Thornton out of San Jose.

Murphy writes:

Bruins Assistant General Manager John Ferguson Jr. scouted the Sharks for the second time in two weeks on Thursday night in New Jersey. Ferguson knows Sharks GM Doug Wilson well. Ferguson was the Sharks AHL GM when their affiliate was in Worcester, MA, and Ferguson was the Sharks Director of Pro Scouting from 2008 to 2014.

Boston now has some money to spend too, after moving David Backes.

Of course, Thornton has full control over where he goes should he choose to accept a deal out of San Jose and Boston isn’t the only interested franchise. Talk has picked up as the deadline approaches and Adrian Dater, a Colorado Avalanche insider, notes there are five teams on Thornton’s shortlist: the Colorado Avalanche, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Dallas Stars, the Tampa Bay Lightning, and perhaps most intriguing of all Thornton’s former team the Boston Bruins.

If a deal could be had, Thornton likely would not cost the Bruins a roster player but a pick as the Sharks are trying to restock their draft cupboard. The source called this a “very fluid” situation.

Thornton, 40, is not what he once was but still highly-coveted around the NHL. He has 25 points in 60 games this season, including just two goals. Because of San Jose’s injury issues, he’s stayed the go-to center and played with Timo Meier and Kevin Lebanc.

Thornton said of speculation he might move over the next two days, he’s not against going to a contender but feels he’s got lots left in the tank. He told The Athletic’s Kevin Kurz (subscription required) his career is not over yet.

“You know, it is,” Thornton said, when asked whether he is tempted to go to a contender. “But it’s not like I feel like this is my last year. I feel like I’m healthy, I feel like I still have a lot in the tank left. It’s not like a last-hurrah-type thing. I feel good, and my mind feels great. It’s not like, ‘Oh, this is going to be my last shot at it.’ So, that’s where my mind is at right now.”