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Jumbo Joe Not Done: Coming Back for #22


TropicalFruitGirl26

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JoeT.jpg.15e1e623b0cc1602cc7beb6dd46683a6.jpg

 

Back for season number 22 that is.

From Yahoo sports:
https://sports.yahoo.com/sharks-sign-40-old-joe-thornton-1-2m-155023879--nhl.html

 

Still searching for a Stanley Cup ring and not wanting to play anywhere else, he feels well enough to endure another grinding season and also obviously feels the Sharks still  have what it takes to win a championship.

At $2M for the one season he signed for, the Sharks probably couldn't do better for their bottom six.
They get a guy who is a leader (with or without a letter), knows the organization and its players, the management, the fanbase, and the expectations.
His skillset is diminished from what they once where, but they are still good enough, and in some cases better than, many others that can be found in bottom six roles.

 

With the many departures, especially of Joe Pavelski, it means more responsibilities will be heaped on young players such as Timo Meier and many others still will be asked to step up their games.
But there will be Jumbo Joe to help with any and all transitions for those guys.

40 years old and still gunning for a Cup.
Good luck to him and his Sharks this upcoming season.

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  • 2 weeks later...
2 hours ago, TheRaven said:

I know Gordie Howe is the oldest NHL player, but 40 years is also a lot...Doesn't this make Joe Thornton one of the older players around these days?

 

It does. With Matt Cullen and Chris Kunitz now retired, Zdeno Chara, who will turn 43 in March, is the oldest player in the league. Thornton is #2, and Patrick Marleau third oldest.

 

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his game has never been based on speed and has aged very well. has had major injuries to both knees in the past few years and still came back and put up 51 points on the 3rd line last year.

 

Ill take a 3rd line C for 2 million. especially with the capability to play 2nd line c easily. He will also C PP2 again

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7 hours ago, J0e Th0rnton said:

his game has never been based on speed and has aged very well. has had major injuries to both knees in the past few years and still came back and put up 51 points on the 3rd line last year.

 

Ill take a 3rd line C for 2 million. especially with the capability to play 2nd line c easily. He will also C PP2 again

 

There's a reason guys like Joe Thornton, Zdeno Chara, and before them, Henrik Zetterberg, Matt Cullen, Chris Kunitz, and Chris Chelios can continue to play well past the traditional 'expiry dates':
Because they keep themselves in fantastic condition and, equally important, they have the heart, drive, and desire to continue to compete at a high level even as their skills diminish.....and compete pretty well at that high level too.

Joe Thornton will retire one of two ways:
Either injuries will slow him to the point where he simply can't go on the ice anymore (like a Ryan Callahan, David Clarkson, or Nathan Horton)...
Or he will just decide he and his body have had enough and leave on their own terms, like Zetter, Chelios, Cullen, etc did.

I don't think Thornton is the type of player who will be forced out of the league because "he can't play well anymore".
As long as he is physically able and has the drive, he can and will, contribute.

Nice luxury for the San Jose Sharks to have.

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