|
On a Joe Thornton trade and MVPastrnak |
|
|
|
|
|
What a story it would be.
Joe Thornton, traded to Boston at the NHL Trade Deadline. Returning to where it all started 23 years ago and making a run to the Stanley Cup Final. It would be Thornton’s second Stanley Cup appearance in the 40-year old’s Hall of Fame Career, and the Bruins second in as many seasons.
But this one ends differently for Thornton and differently for the Bruins.
Thornton’s amazing career ends with just about the only thing he hasn’t done in his professional hockey career: a Stanley Cup victory.
What a story it would be.
But with the Sharks playoff chances fading by the day, and the Bruins in need of help down the middle, Thornton and the Bruins could be a perfect fit.
At 40-years old, Thornton is not going to come close to matching the 16-35-51 he put up with the Sharks a season ago. Long gone are the days of 50+ assists and 60+ points, and that’s okay.
Thornton has two goals, 17 assists and 19 points through 50 games. The Sharks return from the All-Star break 11 points behind the Calgary Flames for the final playoff spot in the Pacific and 11 points behind the Vegas Golden Knights for the final wild card spot in the west.
In what very well could be his final season in the league, Thornton deserves one more shot at the cup, he deserves his “Ray Bourque” moment and he’s earned the right to decide where that opportunity will happen, should he decide this is the road he wants to take.
In what would most likely be a third line role for Thornton, playing with youngsters like Danton Heinen and Karson Khulman, how much Thornton would bring to the table and impact the Bruins would remain to be seen, but if the price is right, it’s a move general manager Don Sweeney needs to consider.
I would imagine that with the relationship Thornton and the organization have, if Thornton wants to come back to Boston, and the Bruins entertain the option, the price for Thornton would be very reasonable.
I mean who doesn’t want to see Thornton win a cup?
David Pastrnak named All-Star game MVP
Spanning across two 20-minute games representing the Atlantic, David Pastrnak’s four goals and two assists where enough to earn him All-Star game MVP honors.
Despite being appreciative of the honors, Pastrnak did admit he was a little surprised by the result, seeing as the Atlantic Division—a team he was the captain off—lost in the final 5-4 to the Pacific Division.
“I would expect a winner should win the MVP, the winning team," Pastrnak said. "If it was voted in by fans, I appreciate the love. Probably wasn't any fans from St. Louis' building, but whoever voted in, I appreciate it and I appreciate the love."
Pastrnak earned the MVP title with 36% of the votes, beating out Matthew Tkachuk, Leon Draisaitl and Anthony Duclair.
"He's our MVP a lot of nights too, "Bruins and Atlantic Division head coach Bruce Cassidy said. "I'm used to seeing him go to work. I'm happy for him. Good for him. I'm sure he had a great time. Got to play with some great players, scored a few goals. Too bad we came up a little short."
Tasked with more of a leadership role than he’s used to, Cassidy was pleased with the all-around effort Pastrnak gave.
"The first shift of the first game against Metro, [he] backchecked all the way to the goal line in his own end,” Cassidy said. "I was like, 'Where was this all year?' Just have to put the C on him. Good luck getting it from [Zdeno Chara].”
Pastrnak and the Bruins will return to action Friday night in Winnipeg against the Jets, tying their bye week into the All-Star break. As of Monday, Pastrnak leads the NHL in goals with 37, three more than Alex Ovechkin and Auston Matthews who are tied for second.
Boston Bruins Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»