Steve Palumbo: Joe Thornton is tougher than all of us

I'm guessing he already knows he's going to retire and said f it. Still don't know how it's possible that he accomplished this, considering any lateral torque on the knee would make you want to die. Must have some intense pain killers in Cali.

I have all the respect in the world for Joe but at what point do you consider your injury a liability for your team? He didn't even look like he was 75% there this series.

Thornton has played through big injuries before. He played with a separated shoulder against the Canucks in 2011.

Also don't forget - Hertl played this series against Edm with a broken foot and Marleau has a broken thumb. Also can't forget about Couture, who said it hurt his mouth to BREATHE. Not only that, but sacrificially playing without the cage to help his game. Stupid? Probably. Tough? Absolutely

Thornton is tough but I think hockey players in general are tough. Many players throughout the years have played with big time injuries. There's no quit.

He is a tough SOB.

I question the team letting him play though. If he wasn't an UFA, no way they allow him to play with that injury. Or if he was younger.

But they let a 38 year old, about to be UFA skate on one leg. That just doesn't seem right. The fact that he was cleared to play, that shouldn't happen.

Jumbo is still undefeated when it comes to fighting other players.

Jumbo is still undefeated when it comes to fighting other players.
- SRam19

I'm a big Jumbo fan, but Lindros broke his face.

I'm a big Jumbo fan, but Lindros broke his face.
- flipneil

Still undefeated.

Still undefeated.
- SRam19

You're drunk.

lol I've seen tough and playing a sport for millions of dollars while injured hardly compares.

You're drunk.
- flipneil

still drunk

I have all the respect in the world for Joe but at what point do you consider your injury a liability for your team? He didn't even look like he was 75% there this series.
- KingsFan626

It's Thornton's job to prepare himself as well as he can to play.

It's the coach's job to decide whether the guy is healthy enough to contribute (not be a liability) to the team.

Don't blame Joe on this one.

lol I've seen tough and playing a sport for millions of dollars while injured hardly compares.
- BluemanGuruu

Tough is tough.
You're just a Jumbo hater.
If Pietrangelo played through something like this, he'd be your god.

He is a tough SOB.

I question the team letting him play though. If he wasn't an UFA, no way they allow him to play with that injury. Or if he was younger.

But they let a 38 year old, about to be UFA skate on one leg. That just doesn't seem right. The fact that he was cleared to play, that shouldn't happen.
- carcus

Totally agree, I get players, especially hockey players want to play no matter what but good god a torn MCL & ACL... Letting him play is in my mind is careless and shows a lack of respect for a players/persons well being...

If he shaved those awful chin pubes he'd have cut down on 50 lbs of pressure on his legs

But he's still a beast for playing through it

Poor ol' Floppin' Joe dun hurt his divin' ligaments.

Ain't that a shame. What did ol' Rat Face do to his stick work fingers.

San Jose Sharks window of opportunity has slammed shut.
Injuries or not, every team plays with injuries this time of year.
Pittsburgh isn't missing a beat without their best all star defenseman Letang

Father time has caught up on the Sharks. Marleau, Thornton, Ward and even Little Joe Pavelski looks ancient.
With very few exceptions like Burns who is 32, the whole team lacked the hunger and looked old and very slow afoot too many times.
Sure the 7-0 Sharks win was lopsided, but IMO the Oilers just didn't show up on that night.

The following game. an Oiler win in OT, shots on goal were a modest 14-2 for the Oilers. With San Jose's only two shots coming from lobs outside the blueline .

I have never seen a team look so bad and be so dominated in an overtime session in all my many years of watching hockey. The Old, Worn out, Over the Hill Sharks were an embarrassment to watch. Time for some changes in San Jose.....Maybe starting with GM Wilson.

If he shaved those awful chin pubes he'd have cut down on 50 lbs of pressure on his legs
- ChonDerry

He may have chin pubes, but no one has worse facial hair in the playoffs than Kassian. It's painful to look at him.

San Jose Sharks window of opportunity has slammed shut.
Injuries or not, every team plays with injuries this time of year.
Pittsburgh isn't missing a beat without their best all star defenseman Letang

Father time has caught up on the Sharks. Marleau, Thornton, Ward and even Little Joe Pavelski looks ancient.
With very few exceptions like Burns who is 32, the whole team lacked the hunger and looked old and very slow afoot too many times.
Sure the 7-0 Sharks win was lopsided, but IMO the Oilers just didn't show up on that night.

The following game. an Oiler win in OT, shots on goal were a modest 14-2 for the Oilers. With San Jose's only two shots coming from lobs outside the blueline .

I have never seen a team look so bad and be so dominated in an overtime session in all my many years of watching hockey. The Old, Worn out, Over the Hill Sharks were an embarrassment to watch. Time for some changes in San Jose.....Maybe starting with GM Wilson.
- GeoffY

You do realize the Wings are just as old as the Sharks right..?

San Jose Sharks window of opportunity has slammed shut.
Injuries or not, every team plays with injuries this time of year.
Pittsburgh isn't missing a beat without their best all star defenseman Letang

Father time has caught up on the Sharks. Marleau, Thornton, Ward and even Little Joe Pavelski looks ancient.
With very few exceptions like Burns who is 32, the whole team lacked the hunger and looked old and very slow afoot too many times.
Sure the 7-0 Sharks win was lopsided, but IMO the Oilers just didn't show up on that night.

The following game. an Oiler win in OT, shots on goal were a modest 14-2 for the Oilers. With San Jose's only two shots coming from lobs outside the blueline .

I have never seen a team look so bad and be so dominated in an overtime session in all my many years of watching hockey. The Old, Worn out, Over the Hill Sharks were an embarrassment to watch. Time for some changes in San Jose.....Maybe starting with GM Wilson.
- GeoffY

I wouldn't say it's "slammed shut"....but it's highly unlikely that they'll win a cup with this core. (Though a lot of folks said that before last season started.) Depends on the changes during the offseason and if some (or any) of the young players can step up.

San Jose Sharks window of opportunity has slammed shut.
Injuries or not, every team plays with injuries this time of year.
Pittsburgh isn't missing a beat without their best all star defenseman Letang

Father time has caught up on the Sharks. Marleau, Thornton, Ward and even Little Joe Pavelski looks ancient.
With very few exceptions like Burns who is 32, the whole team lacked the hunger and looked old and very slow afoot too many times.
Sure the 7-0 Sharks win was lopsided, but IMO the Oilers just didn't show up on that night.

The following game. an Oiler win in OT, shots on goal were a modest 14-2 for the Oilers. With San Jose's only two shots coming from lobs outside the blueline .

I have never seen a team look so bad and be so dominated in an overtime session in all my many years of watching hockey. The Old, Worn out, Over the Hill Sharks were an embarrassment to watch. Time for some changes in San Jose.....Maybe starting with GM Wilson.
- GeoffY

You would be an expert on watching teams get old slow down and turn into poodoo. Detroit leads the way there. I have to agree with you on the window shutting, the Sharks do need to get younger and unless Jumbo and Patty sign for a deep home discount I don't see the team getting any better. Same team is likely to make the playoffs again but its not geared to run deep. Last year was a big surprise but everything lines up well.

Now embarrassing to watch not quite there, not the best hockey ever sure but I've seen way worse efforts...even from the Sharks....like when the Ducks swept them.....

Steve Palumbo: Joe Thornton is tougher than all of us
- Steve Palumbo

Pfffft big deal. I've played with a torn ACL and meniscus.......however not carrying the weight of that beautiful beard, I shall never truly know Thorntons pain.

Not tougher than me.

Gah this sucks...I'm bored of the off season already. C'mon DW do something already.