5 players the Boston Bruins could trade for by the deadline
By Bob Heyrman
3. C Joe Thornton
Wouldn’t this be the perfect story-book ending to a Hall of Fame career? If Joe Thornton decides to waive his no-movement clause to have one more opportunity at a Stanley Cup, the Boston Bruins would be a perfect fit.
The 40-year-old center is averaging a career-low 15:12 minutes of ice time this season with the San Jose Sharks. He’s continued to return to San Jose year after year in hopes of lifting the Stanley Cup. Perhaps he finally takes a page out of his good friend Patrick Marleau‘s book and tries to chase a Stanley Cup elsewhere. Of course, in Marleau’s case, it didn’t come to fruition.
This is Thornton’s 15th season with the Sharks. He’s been through his fair share of ups and downs. He’s had his captaincy stripped, similar to Patrick Marleau. He’s butted heads with general manager Doug Wilson over the years, but he’s managed to enjoy a plethora of success, minus one gaping hole in his trophy case.
The Boston Bruins selected Thornton first overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Level Draft. He recorded 454 points in 532 career games spanning over eight seasons with the Bruins before moving on to the Sharks during the 2005-06 season. Perhaps general manager Don Sweeney can make up for Boston (not under his watch) moving Thornton to the Sharks back in 2006 for Marco Sturm, Brad Stuart, and Wayne Primeau. If the franchise could have a do-over, they certainly would like to use it on that here.
If Thornton indeed decides to waive his no-movement clause for the Bruins, he will be accepting a third or perhaps a fourth line role. He’s still an exceptional passer, and he’d be very valuable on Boston’s second power-play unit, but brings a minimal upside to five-on-five play. He’d need to buy-in to the fact he’s just a specialty piece.
Thornton has recorded just two goals to go with his 22 assists in 56 contests this season. He’d be a bargain acquisition and one the Bruins should strongly consider.