NHL Free Agency: Maple Leafs, Predators contact Joe Thornton
Joe Thornton is getting up in years, but you’d never know it by a building list of free agent suitors.
Joe Thornton just completed his 19th NHL season, and his 11th full season with the San Jose Sharks. But he is headed for free agency this weekend, and was left unprotected to the Vegas Golden Knights in last week’s expansion draft. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported this week that 12 teams had made contact with Thornton’s representation, so the 37 year-old is not lacking for suitors.
Thornton has a stated preference to re-sign with the San Jose Sharks, perhaps tied to whether long-time teammate and fellow free agent Patrick Marleau also returns. The Los Angeles Kings have specifically entered the fray with reported interest in Thornton, and LeBrun has added two other teams to that list.
Would be easier to name the teams that haven't called, then those who did, but no question the Leafs among those who reached out to Thornton
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 29, 2017
Another team that's expressed interest in Joe Thornton: the Nashville Predators. David Poile has called. Which makes a lot of sense.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 29, 2017
The Toronto Maple Leafs are an interesting landing spot for Thornton. He was born in London, Ontario, and an otherwise young, up-and-coming ream could really benefit from his veteran leadership. Thornton has also played under Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock for Team Canada in three international tournaments–the 1997 World Junior Championships, the 2010 Winter Olympics and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
The defending Western Conference champion Predators lost winger James Neal to Vegas in the expansion draft, so there’s a scoring void to fill up front. Long-time captain Mike Fisher is slated to be an unrestricted free agent himself, or he could decide to retire.
By his standards Thornton is coming of a down year, with 50 points and seven goals over 79 regular season games. But he was still productive in important situations, with 18 power play assists, and advanced puck possession metrics show he was still an above average center.
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If a return to San Jose is not in the cards,Thornton surely wants to sign with a team that has legitimate Stanley Cup aspirations next year. The Predators fit that bill after their surprising playoff run, and the Maple Leafs now have heightened expectations coming of a long-awaited return to the playoffs.