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Jumbo is back which means hockey is back! |
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The San Jose Sharks are getting set for the 2019-20 season and that includes the annual tradition of bringing back 20-year-plus veteran Joe Thornton for another season.
Jumbo signed a one-year $2 million deal to return to San Jose. His return was never really in question. It was more a matter of when and now we have our answer.
Thornton's leadership is without-a-doubt a big deal for the Sharks. The loss of Joe Pavelski will leave a scar on the lineup, but the impact will be felt far less than a Jumboless lineup.
Why, you say?
San Jose's expected to fill out their roster with some of its younger up-and-coming talent. Thornton will play a big role in their development and acclamation to the NHL game. Learning under the tutelage of a future hall-of-famer is a pretty good deal for a young kid. Agreed?
In 73 games last season, Thornton collected 51 points (16g 35a). After recovering from another series of knee surgeries, Thornton got healthier as the season went along. And although he's not the swiftest of skaters, he was skating better than he had in quite some time.
He enters the upcoming season healthy and ready to finally lead the Sharks to a Stanley Cup. If he stays healthy for all 82 games and beyond, I have no doubt San Jose will be one of the teams in the hunt for the Cup.
Since you're reading this blog it means hockey is back!
Thanks for reading,
Steve