San Jose Fails To Trade Joe Thornton At The NHL Trade Deadline, Time Winding Down For Him To Win A Cup

By Jordan Long

The NHL trade deadline was on Monday at 3 PM Eastern Time.  The San Jose Sharks, who stand at 26-33-4 for a total of 56 points and are 14 points out of a playoff spot, were sellers.  They dealt away forward Patrick Marleau to Pittsburgh.  This gives Marleau a chance to win a cup.  One Sharks’ player who wasn’t happy he wasn’t traded is Joe Thornton.

                The Sharks came into the season with high expectations.  They were coming off a Western Conference Finals appearance where they lost to the St. Louis Blues in 6 games.  The goal this year was to make a run to the Stanley Cup Final and win it.  They are now looking at the NHL Draft Lottery.  Thornton was hoping to be traded to a contending team.

                Thornton is one of the top players ever to play for the San Jose Sharks.  He has been with the organization since 2006.  San Jose acquired him from the Boston Bruins on November 30th, 2005.    In his time with the Sharks, he has appeared in 1,097 games, 2nd all-time in San Jose history.  Only Patrick Marleau has more at 1,551.  He is 4th on the scoring list with 248 goals but holds the franchise record for most assists at 803. Thornton is in the midst of one of the worst years in his career with 4 goals and 23 assists for 27 points.  

                This could have been Thornton’s last chance to win a Cup.  He is 40 years old and the end of his NHL career is near.  The Sharks tried but couldn’t find a deal they liked to send Thornton to a contender.

                According to NBCsports.com, Thornton said, “Yeah, obviously I was willing to go somewhere, and try to win my first Stanley Cup. I’ve been dreaming about that ever since I can remember and it just didn’t come to fruition, for whatever reason. I wanted a shot, believe it or not,” added Thornton. “I’ve been hunting this thing down for 22 years. I wanted another shot at it. I wanted to get something in return (for the Sharks), but it just didn’t work out. Back to the grind. That’s how it is.”

                Thornton could leave the game as one of the top players never to win a cup.  His only chance came in 2016 when San Jose lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Final.  No matter what happens this season or if he comes back next year, Thornton will end up in the Hockey Hall of Fame.