Fansided

Every NHL team’s best active player still searching for a Stanley Cup win

By Kyle McKenna

SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 19: Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks spots the puck in front of the net of the New York Rangers during a NHL game at the SAP Center at San Jose on March 19, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Nick Lust/NHLI via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 19: Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks spots the puck in front of the net of the New York Rangers during a NHL game at the SAP Center at San Jose on March 19, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Nick Lust/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
24 of 31
Next

San Jose Sharks

The words “Stanley Cup” and San Jose Sharks have almost been arch-nemesiss for over two decades. It’s a broken record, but San Jose hasn’t been able to get over the hump and win a Stanley Cup and even when the Sharks finished campaigns as, or one of, the league’s best overall team.

While the Teal are poised to make another deep splash and run into the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs, forward Joe Thornton goes down as the best Sharks’ player that’s still searching for a Stanley Cup ring.

Aside from former teammate, Patrick Marleau, Thornton is set to also go down as the second greatest Sharks player of all-time. The 39-year-old is a sure Hockey Hall of Famer once he decides to hang up his skates, and keep in mind that Jumbo Joe also won the Hart Memorial and Art Ross Trophy in the same season (2005-06).

Since joining the Sharks back in 2005-06, Thornton has netted 228 goals and tallied an uncanny number of assists with 745. Now, 973 points later while donning a Sharks’ sweater, the only thing missing from his hockey resume is a Stanley Cup victory.

The former first-overall selection at the 1997 draft is 16th all-time in points with 1,427 and counting. While the London, Ontario native hasn’t been known to find the back of the net often during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he has been a point-producer during the postseason.

No. 19 has 96 career assists in 160 playoff contests. If Thornton were to finish his career and not win a Cup, he may just go down as the greatest player of all-time not to hoist Lord Stanley.

Home/NHL