Joe Thornton of the San Jose Sharks is arguably the best center in NHL free agency this offseason. Here’s a look at the five best fits for him.
The 2017 NHL free agency class isn’t overly impressive. There’s a fairly big drop between the best targets and the next tier. However, one player who is attracting a ton of interest is center Joe Thornton. He’s arguably the best center in free agency, at least from a short-term perspective. Sure, Martin Hanzal might be a better long-term fit. But if you’re looking to upgrade at center for the next season or two, Thornton’s the best option by a mile.
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Even coming off a torn ACL at the age of 38 years old, he’s an attractive option for many teams. But at this point, Thornton likely wants to play for a Stanley Cup contender. A title would put the icing on the cake for his career. It would cement Thornton’s legacy as one of the best centers in NHL history.
According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, he is seeking a three-year deal. This might sound outrageous, but it’s hard to believe Thornton will play out the whole three years. Most likely, he’ll play out two. But he should be a valuable asset for the first season or two. And if you’re a contender, Thornton makes you better right now and that’s what’s important.
Many teams have expressed interest in him. It would be simpler to name the teams who haven’t expressed interest in Jumbo Joe. Thornton will have a plethora of suitors to choose from. Here are the five best fits for the bearded legend.