Top 5 destinations for future Hall of Famer Joe Thornton

For the past 13 seasons, Joe Thornton has been the face of the San Jose Sharks’ franchise. Now, his contract is up and he will be looking for the elusive Stanley Cup and perhaps a new team in NHL free agency

Olympics, IIHF World Championships, the World Cup, Joe Thornton’s won it all. Except for the Stanley Cup. Thornton might be 38 years old, but he’s determined to play until he’s a part of the triple gold club. He’ll hit NHL free agency as a veteran option, albeit one coming off of two major knee injuries.

With Thornton’s career winding down, teams will most likely offer him one-year deals and the team he chooses to sign with has to be a major contender.

Last season, he suffered a knee injury in January that cost him the rest of the season and it required surgery. This will play a major factor because any 38-year-old with a major injury would be a huge deterrent for many teams. That being said, Thornton has proven in his 1,493 NHL games that he is one of the most reliable players in the game.

1. San Jose Sharks

According to The Athletic, the Sharks are thinking about re-signing Thorton for another year. Thornton didn’t enjoy the free agency process last season so he will be anxious to get a deal done as quickly as possible. San Jose has always been his home. His rehab facility is there, his doctors are there, the Sharks are the team he will want to be with.

The San Jose Sharks just went to the second round. With the full-time addition of Evander Kane, this team is looking to contend for a while. They could be gearing up for a significant addition as well after clearing some cap space.

2. Pittsburgh Penguins

Imagine a group of centers that consist of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Joe Thornton, and Derick Brassard. Putting Thornton with a player like Phil Kessel will be a dangerous combination for the other team. An assist machine combined with an elite shot? Come on.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have enough cap space (over $9 million) and money won’t be a factor in Thornton’s mind. They have won two Stanley Cups in three seasons and they don’t look like they’re slowing down. If Jumbo Joe wants to make a bet on a team, the Penguins are a pretty strong one.

3. Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs will likely lose both Tyler Bozak and Tomas Plekanec to free agency. Perhaps a Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton reunion is in order. He will be an affordable replacement for the Leafs. A one-year deal is perfect because Thornton’s contract would be up before the Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner negotiations start.

The Leafs desperately lack center depth and the addition of Thornton will be a good stop gap as they continue to develop players in the AHL. Though it’s fair to ask how well Thornton and Nazem Kadri would get along.

4. Columbus Blue Jackets

When Thornton was a free agent last offseason, the Colombus Blue Jackets were reportedly interested. They are sick of early first round exits and the added center depth that Jumbo Joe adds would be a welcome sight. The Blue Jackets team has a world-class goalie in Sergei Brobovsky and lots of young and veteran talent. Thornton could be just the push they need to make a real run.

5. Boston Bruins

What an amazing story if Thornton ends his quest for the Cup with his draft team from 21 years ago? The Boston Bruins have Riley Nash heading to free agency and if they can’t resign him, the 38-year-old would be a fine replacement.

Next: Nashville Predators: 2018 Offseason Outlook

The most likely outcome is that Thornton resigns with the team that he is the most comfortable with – the Sharks. The community, his family, teammates, and doctors are all in San Jose and leaving them might be too much for him. However, if he can sacrifice one year of his life to win the ultimate prize, that would be quite the story.

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