Franklin Steele: Trading Joe Thornton Isn't Just an Option for Rebuilding Sharks

I personally dont understand how everyone can blame one centreman on a team for their inability to win. Did thornton have a bad playoffs, sure, but so did Couture and Burns. And 100pts in 132 playoff games really isnt bad.

I know you dont say its solely Joe's fault but essentially your saying a team cannot win with him on the roster. I'd gladly take him on the Habs for a few years.

Franklin Steele: Trading Joe Thornton Isn't Just an Option for Rebuilding Sharks
Boston has gone on to two Stanley Cup Final appearances since dealing the former first-overall selection, while the Sharks have yet to make it to the third round since the trade.
- Franklin Steele

Oh the Sharks made it to the third round, twice in fact. They did however only manage to play 9 total games if I'm not mistaken.

I personally dont understand how everyone can blame one centreman on a team for their inability to win. Did thornton have a bad playoffs, sure, but so did Couture and Burns. And 100pts in 132 playoff games really isnt bad.

I know you dont say its solely Joe's fault but essentially your saying a team cannot win with him on the roster. I'd gladly take him on the Habs for a few years.
- Joel_Eh

I think thornton is similar to spezza in ottawa.

they're both elite offensive players, and make any team they play for better....but they aren't guys that a team should be built around. they shouldn't be "the guy" on a team, but rather just "one of the guys".

I think all indications are, from what i've read, that thornton will only waive to go to New York...........which might be a good fit for him. He won't be the only guy, with people like lundqvist and nash there.

same with spezza in anaheim, he'll obviously be behind getzlaf and perry.

so....great players, just don't build your teams around them.

Welcome! Great write up & I agree, while he hasn't been the missing piece of the puzzle, he's not the entire problem, either.

One call out, you referred to Doug Wilson as "Murray" in the third paragraph from the bottom of the page.

Looking forward to reading more of your stuff.

I think thornton is similar to spezza in ottawa.

they're both elite offensive players, and make any team they play for better....but they aren't guys that a team should be built around. they shouldn't be "the guy" on a team, but rather just "one of the guys".

I think all indications are, from what i've read, that thornton will only waive to go to New York...........which might be a good fit for him. He won't be the only guy, with people like lundqvist and nash there.

same with spezza in anaheim, he'll obviously be behind getzlaf and perry.

so....great players, just don't build your teams around them.
- sensarmy_11

I disagree a little with what you said, in the sense that Thornton isn't the only guy in San Jose.
With Marleau, Pavelski, Couture in the lineup, he has more than enough of a supporting cast.

Now on the hand, I do believe San Jose needs a shakeup and Thornton should be moved. Pavelski, Couture, Hertl, Wingels can all move up in the lineup and keep the Sharks just as competitive. Add in what they gain from Thornton, and you have another solid playoff team.

Liked the writing -- enjoyed the take.

I don't really have anything for or against Joe Thornton, and I really liked the article reminding that the B's signing Zdeno Chara was really more important for that franchise than just moving Thornton out.

But at the same time, I also believe that it is fair for a franchise to cut ties with core players when they continually fall short. I don't think the word "blame" is the right one to use. But I do believe that there is a difference between blame and responsibility, and acceptance of responsibility means that if you have had repeated opportunities, then it is fair to acknowledge that perhaps it is someone else's turn to try.

I disagree a little with what you said, in the sense that Thornton isn't the only guy in San Jose.
With Marleau, Pavelski, Couture in the lineup, he has more than enough of a supporting cast.

Now on the hand, I do believe San Jose needs a shakeup and Thornton should be moved. Pavelski, Couture, Hertl, Wingels can all move up in the lineup and keep the Sharks just as competitive. Add in what they gain from Thornton, and you have another solid playoff team.
- ILoveLamp

that's my point though, they're HIS supporting cast.

if he goes to say the rangers, is nash, lundqvist, mcdonough, etc, really his supporting cast?

Third round of the playoffs. 2010 anyone?

Liked the writing -- enjoyed the take.

I don't really have anything for or against Joe Thornton, and I really liked the article reminding that the B's signing Zdeno Chara was really more important for that franchise than just moving Thornton out.

But at the same time, I also believe that it is fair for a franchise to cut ties with core players when they continually fall short. I don't think the word "blame" is the right one to use. But I do believe that there is a difference between blame and responsibility, and acceptance of responsibility means that if you have had repeated opportunities, then it is fair to acknowledge that perhaps it is someone else's turn to try.
- AllInForFlyers

I think this is true - although I've read a lot of people who definitely 'blame' Thornton. But i agree that i think its fair for SJ to cut ties with Joe if thats what is best for the team however i dont think that they're going to necessarily be a better team without him, in fact i think its more likely they'll be worse in the short term (depending on the potential trade).

With the Rangers, he becomes the go to guy again. Not sure why he would want to go there.

At this stage in his career he would be better off with a team like Chicago where he could play a secondary role. There would be less pressure on him and he could play with wingers that would keep him productive.

Third round of the playoffs. 2010 anyone?
- ObeseOprah

And 2011

Thornton ($2M salary cap hit eaten by SJ) for Sharp.

Never going to happen, but that's the only way the Hawks/Sharks could get this done. Would love to have Jumbo Joe centering Kane and Saad.

Thornton ($2M salary cap hit eaten by SJ) for Sharp.

Never going to happen, but that's the only way the Hawks/Sharks could get this done. Would love to have Jumbo Joe centering Kane and Saad.
- Dannyboy

Bad deal for SJ. Why would they eat any salary just for Sharp? Its ~$1MM difference

IMO Chicago would have to add more, maybe a prospect like Hartman or McNeil.

Welcome Franklin!

I'll rock the boat a little bit here and drop some truth on y'all:

The best Sharks team ever was 03-04, before we acquired Thornton. The Sharks have failed to have a team go as deep in the playoffs with Thornton as they did without Thornton.

0 points in the 4 game collapse....gotta trade him BC he clearly doesn't have the killer instinct to carry a team to the promised land

Bad deal for SJ. Why would they eat any salary just for Sharp? Its ~$1MM difference

IMO Chicago would have to add more, maybe a prospect like Hartman or McNeil.
- ImThatGuy

sharp is 32 jumbo is 35 ..there is no way he's worth more than Sharp (78 points)

sharp is 32 jumbo is 35 ..there is no way he's worth more than Sharp (78 points)
- EnzoD

He may be older, but he is better, and he plays C. Which Chicago desperately needs. Sharp is good, but I also think he is partially a product of a great supporting cast.

You would rather try to short change SJ on a deal then have a 1-2 punch of Toews and Thornton for the next 2-3 years?

Welcome Frank!

I'll rock the boat a little bit here and drop some truth on y'all:

The best Sharks team ever was 03-04, before we acquired Thornton. The Sharks have failed to have a team go as deep in the playoffs with Thornton as they did without Thornton.
- Sharks_12

The best habs team was probably like 40 years ago - or go back to '93 the last cup. So technically the Habs were better before they got Subban...

Just saying that statement doesnt hold much water.

He may be older, but he is better, and he plays C. Which Chicago desperately needs. Sharp is good, but I also think he is partially a product of a great supporting cast.

You would rather try to short change SJ on a deal then have a 1-2 punch of Toews and Thornton for the next 2-3 years?
- ImThatGuy

ya but McNeil and Hartman are former first founders..sharp and Clendening seems fair

Stastny is resigning in COL, but wishful thinking. And even then, a team can't make it to the promiseland riding on the back of one player. I thought that lesson was learned with Joe Thornton.

With the Rangers, he becomes the go to guy again. Not sure why he would want to go there.
At this stage in his career he would be better off with a team like Chicago where he could play a secondary role. There would be less pressure on him and he could play with wingers that would keep him productive.
- 67hawks

Disagree. This is Mac's and Lundquist's team. Nash's also. Joe would not be "the guy" on the Rangers anymore than Richards was. Hell, even St. Louis would have a larger leadership role than him.

I just don't get it, honestly.

This is the sharks window, and the team has never been deeper or stronger -The team was one win away from sweeping the stanley cup champs at one point. Do I think Joe Thorton is a saviour for any team? No. Does he have to be for San Jose? No. These other guys didn't get it done when thorton was there, why would their chances improve without him?

I just think that sometimes teams have to realize that it is incredibly difficult to win a cup in this league, and even harder to sustain that success. You shouldn't throw away good pieces when they don't get it done.

LA and Chicago are great teams, but they day may come when they both get eliminated before the sharks, and then the sharks become clear favorites.

Only way I trade Joe is if I'm getting back a great defenseman in return.

I just don't get it, honestly.

This is the sharks window, and the team has never been deeper or stronger -The team was one win away from sweeping the stanley cup champs at one point. Do I think Joe Thorton is a saviour for any team? No. Does he have to be for San Jose? No. These other guys didn't get it done when thorton was there, why would their chances improve without him?

I just think that sometimes teams have to realize that it is incredibly difficult to win a cup in this league, and even harder to sustain that success. You shouldn't throw away good pieces when they don't get it done.

LA and Chicago are great teams, but they day may come when they both get eliminated before the sharks, and then the sharks become clear favorites.

Only way I trade Joe is if I'm getting back a great defenseman in return.
- TommyDeVito

Gotta agree with this take. Jumbo gets all the blame because he's pretty much the face of the franchise. But I'd say the real blame needs to be focused on their goaltending. Prior to Niemi (who won the cup moreso because of the rest of the CHI team much like their current tender) they had Nabokov who also choked in the playoffs, A LOT. IMO if they shore up that issue, the rest would straighten itself out. If anyone, move Patty as his streakiness and style of play doesn't translate well to the playoff grind, in short he's very soft.
I they move Jumbo, as a Kings fan, I'd be happy with it. He's a beast on the puck and has great vision. It would be nice to see him go to the east.

Does Joe have a full NTC ??