San Jose Sharks: Joe Thornton surprisingly not dealt at the trade deadline
By Justin Fried
The San Jose Sharks opted not to trade veteran Joe Thornton at the trade deadline and the longtime Sharks legend will remain in San Jose for the foreseeable future.
The San Jose Sharks were pretty active at this year’s trade deadline making a few different deals. But now that the dust has settled, veteran Joe Thornton remains on the roster.
Rumors swirled in the weeks leading up to the February 24th trade deadline that the Sharks could look to part ways with their longtime leader. Both sides seemed open to the idea and it made sense for both Thornton and the Sharks.
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In 22 years, Thornton’s resume is stacked with pretty much every accolade an NHL player could hope for. However, the one thing that has alluded him to this point is a Stanley Cup victory.
And with the Sharks all but eliminated from playoff contention, Thornton wasn’t going to accomplish that goal with San Jose — at least not this season.
While the 40-year-old has been with the Sharks since the 2005-06 season, he reportedly wasn’t opposed to playing hockey with another team for the first time in 15 years. But despite all of this, a trade just never materialized.
The Athletic’s Kevin Kurz reported that Thornton was “at least a little disappointed” that a trade wasn’t able to be hashed out. Kurz also said that general manager Doug Wilson was “working on it,” but he wasn’t able to come to an agreement with another team.
The Sharks did, however, make a few trades prior to the deadline. Of course, the festivities kicked off a week ago when the team sent defenseman Brenden Dillon packing to Washington for a couple of draft picks.
But on Tuesday, the Sharks made three more trades shipping away both Patrick Marleau and Barclay Goodrow while acquiring defenseman Brandon Davidson in a trade with the Calgary Flames.
The Goodrow deal is especially notable as the Sharks were able to recoup a first-round pick in 2020 — something they didn’t have going into the day.
Yet despite all of this movement, Thornton remained untouched.
The Ontario native will now play out the remainder of the season with San Jose before he hits free agency once again. Thornton contemplated retirement last season, but it seems as though he is anticipating on playing next year.
If that’s the case, expect him to once again re-sign with the Sharks — something that his now-former teammate in Marleau might do as well.
Even if Thornton was dealt, the overwhelming odds indicated that he would return to San Jose again next season. But now he just isn’t going to leave and come back.
Next. San Jose Sharks: Patrick Marleau traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. dark
Joe Thornton will likely have to continue waiting for his first Stanley Cup victory, but at least Sharks fans will have the pleasure of watching him in teal for the rest of what has been a woeful season.