Joe Thornton: 5 best fits in NHL free agency
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.
5. San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The most likely option for Thornton is re-signing with the San Jose Sharks. He loves it in California and the team has been his home since being traded in 2005. Players tend to avoid change if necessary and are creatures of habit. Returning to the Sharks would be the most comfortable option for Thornton. At this stage in his career, he might not have too much interest in either leaving his family or making them move.
Why it makes sense for San Jose: The Sharks are still a darn good team. They have to do some tinkering, but looking at the Western Conference, San Jose has to feel pretty good about their chances.
If the Sharks want to contend, the best way for them to do so is by re-signing Patrick Marleau and Thornton. It’s hard to see them contending without the epic duo.
Why it makes sense for Thornton: He would probably have to take a pay cut for a return to San Jose to make sense. But how many teams can offer a better chance of winning than the Sharks? Not many. Especially if Thornton doesn’t want to leave the west coast. He’s turned down opportunities to be traded, even after losing his captaincy, so it’s safe to say he’s quite happy with the Sharks.
4. Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
Joe Thornton going to the Los Angeles Kings would be one heck of a weird thing to see. Like Johnny Damon in a New York Yankees uniform, except if he still rocked an epic beard. But if the Sharks decide to move on from Thornton and he still wants to stay in California, the Kings are rumored to have significant interest in him..
Why it makes sense for Los Angeles: Getting a great two-way center and power play leader while hurting your arch rival would be a heck of a win for Los Angeles. Even though they have missed the postseason in two of the past three seasons, the Kings have a talented roster. Acquiring Thornton could allow Jeff Carter to move to wing, which would better suit his skill set and ease the burden on him.
Why it makes sense for Thornton: He wouldn’t have the be the top center, that’s still Anze Kopitar’s job. Thornton would thrive in a second line role, especially playing alongside either Tyler Toffoli or Carter. Looking at the Kings salary cap situation, he’d have to take a discount. But for a guy who loves California, that’s something he might be willing to do.
3. Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
Perhaps the most intriguing fit for Joe Thornton are the Toronto Maple Leafs. He wouldn’t be their top priority, as a top defenseman is on top of their offseason wish list. A forward would most likely have to be traded for Thornton to make sense for the Maple Leafs. However, Toronto shouldn’t have much trouble finding a suitor for Tyler Bozak, who is a consistent producer.
Why Thornton makes sense for Toronto: The Maple Leafs are an extremely young team. This is an excellent thing, as they’re skilled, young and fast. But the Leafs could use some experience. Specifically, their phenomenal trio of Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Mitch Marner could use someone to continue to guide and mentor them. Thornton would be one heck of a guy for them to follow.
Signing him would allow the Leafs to potentially have four lines of skill, which is probably their best chance of contending for a Stanley Cup. At the very least, Thornton would make their top nine forwards even more lethal and give coach Mike Babcock more options to experiment with.
Why Toronto makes sense for Thornton: The Maple Leafs are darn good. With the right offseason moves, they could be Stanley Cup contenders as soon as next season. If Thornton wants to win a title, the Leafs are a very intriguing option. Perhaps intriguing enough to warrant him taking a discount.
2. Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are a team on the rise after making the Stanley Cup Finals. Had it not been for Ryan Johansen’s injury in the Western Conference Finals, perhaps the championship is
Pittsburgh Penguins
won by the Preds. General manager David Poile is arguably the best in the business and would love to answer the hypothetical “what would have happened if the team had two top centers”. Joe Thornton’s the best option available if he wants to address his team down the middle.
Why Thornton makes sense for Nashville: There’s something to be said for adding someone who you just beat in the postseason. But it would be sort of the opposite for Nashville, as Thornton and the Sharks beat the Predators in the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He’d be a perfect solution to their center woes. Johansen has proven he’s a franchise center, but in today’s NHL, you need two great ones. Thornton, even at 38 years old, is still great.
Why Nashville makes sense for Thornton: The Predators are very close to winning a Stanley Cup. It’s hard to predict the future, especially in hockey, but there’s no reason to believe Nashville can’t make a return to the Stanley Cup Finals next year. Thornton could be the guy who pushes them over the top.
1. Pittsburgh Penguins
You know how the Golden State Warriors added Kevin Durant in 2016? Well, imagine if they had just won the NBA Finals. The rich have a chance to get richer and Joe Thornton would help maximize their already excellent chances of winning three straight Stanley Cups. Pittsburgh will likely explore every possible option to upgrade. But no matter what they do, Thornton would be a perfect fit in Pittsburgh.
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Why Thornton makes sense for Pittsburgh: The Penguins have a slight issue they must fix. Nick Bonino has been a great value for them the past two seasons. But because he’s been so good for them in the playoffs, teams are lining up to sign him in free agency. Why overpay Bonino when you could probably get Thornton for about as much, or even a little bit more? The latter is a huge upgrade over the former. Pittsburgh has won consecutive Stanley Cups by being deep down the middle. If they add Thornton, the Penguins would arguably have the best trio of centers of the salary cap era.
Why Pittsburgh makes sense for Thornton: Jumbo Joe deserves a Stanley Cup. Winning one is the lone accomplishment that would make his legacy greater than it currently is. Thornton’s nearing the end of his career and he’d probably like to go out on top, just like Ray Bourque did. And there’s no team that would give him a better opportunity to do so than the Penguins.