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Two-time Stanley Cup winner Shawn Thornton will be looking for a job on July 1 and could be the type of veteran presence that the Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to add for next season.
Boston Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli told the 36-year-old winger on Monday that the club would not bring him back for his eighth season in Beantown, thus making him an unrestricted free agent.
Thornton has been an effective and physical depth forward, playing on the Merlot Line(named for their wine colored practice jerseys) with Gregory Campbell and Daniel Paille, but the Bruins have cap concerns due to performance bonuses that will limit their cap space, which means that they will go with younger, inexpensive options like Justin Florek or Ryan Spooner next season.
Originially drafted by the Maple Leafs in 1997, the Oshawa, ON native played parts of three seasons in Chicago before joining the Anaheim Ducks and winning a Stanley Cup for head coach Randy Carlyle in 2007.
“I grew up right around the corner, so I was always a fan of the Blue and White growing up,… Thornton said to radio host Joey Vendetta on Sportsnet Fan 590 Tuesday morning.
Although it is expected that the Leafs will be giving young players like Jerry D’Amigo, Sam Carrick and Peter Holland a legitimate chance to make the club out of training camp, the future of enforcers Colton Orr and Fraser Mclaren are in question based on their diminishing ice time last season.
Orr averaged slightly over five minutes in 54 games played and McLaren exactly four minutes per game in 27 games, while Thornton played nearly nine minutes per game in 64 games, as he missed 15 games due to his suspension for punching Pittsburgh’s Brooks Orpik.
Thornton made $1.1 Million in Boston and might have to take a comparable salary to get another contract, but is more looking for the right place and role to fill.
“It’s not all dollars and cents for me.… Thornton said. “I did learn one thing in Boston… it’s about the fit. Boston wasn’t the most money I was offered, but the city fit, and that made life a lot more enjoyable away from the rink too.…
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The rumors of potential destinations for Dion Phaneuf include Florida (in a deal for the first overall pick), Edmonton(who are looking to add an experienced minute-eating defenseman) and according to Hockey Central’s Doug Maclean, the San Jose Sharks.
The 29-year-old defenseman’s new seven-year contract begins on July 1 and the Leafs have been rumored to be entertaining offers for their team captain. San Jose have shifted Brent Burns from forward back to defense and are looking to upgrade their blueline after the departure of veteran Dan Boyle and may have the cap room to add Phaneuf’s $7 Million annual salary if they move either Patrick Marleau or Joe Thornton this summer.
HC @ Noon discussion: Could Leafs trade Phaneuf at the draft? http://t.co/evt0ZXgQg6
— Hockey Central (@SNHockeyCentral) June 17, 2014Both veterans have no-movement clauses and it is unknown whether either would waive them to come to Toronto.
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