Panthers’ Thornton: No decision on 25th season

SUNRISE, Fla. — Joe Thornton’s profession may be over. Or not.

The veteran heart, who simply accomplished his twenty fourth season within the NHL and first with the Florida Panthers, mentioned Wednesday that he has not determined whether or not to retire or proceed taking part in.

“My spouse was form of asking me final evening,” Thornton mentioned. “And actually, I’ve no plans. It is form of thrilling that approach. I got here right here to win a championship, and we fell in need of that. However I believe the Florida Panthers are going to be good for a very long time. It is thrilling round right here now.”

The query is whether or not Thornton might be a part of that pleasure going ahead.

Thornton, who turns 43 on July 2, was the second-oldest skater to look in a sport this season; New York Islanders defenseman Zdeno Chara turned 45 in March and like Thornton simply accomplished his twenty fourth season within the league.

They have been two of 4 gamers of their 40s who acquired into video games this season. Buffalo Sabres goalie Craig Anderson was a month shy of turning 41 when he made his closing look of the season, and Edmonton Oilers goalie Mike Smith turned 40 in March.

“I have been privileged to play this sport for a very long time,” Thornton mentioned. “I do not take something with no consideration.”

Longtime San Jose Sharks operating mate Patrick Marleau introduced his retirement this month after taking part in 23 seasons within the NHL. Marleau broke Gordie Howe’s video games performed report and retired having performed 1,779 within the common season throughout his profession.

Thornton has performed 1,714 video games — sixth most in regular-season historical past — with San Jose, Boston, Toronto and Florida. He just lately joked he would let Marleau maintain his place within the historical past books.

Thornton appeared in 34 video games with the Panthers this season, scoring 5 targets and including 5 assists.

“All people likes to be round him,” Panthers ahead Anton Lundell mentioned. “He is a humorous man, and he likes to work. You see how a lot he cares in regards to the sport, how a lot he likes to play, and the most important factor is how a lot he likes to be across the boys. He does not actually wish to take any days off.”

For perspective, Lundell was born Oct. 3, 2001. Sooner or later later, Thornton began his fifth NHL season.

Thornton picked the Panthers final summer season as a result of he felt coming to Florida was his greatest hope to lastly win his first Stanley Cup championship. The Panthers received the Presidents’ Trophy, set crew information for targets, wins and factors, and captured a playoff sequence for the primary time since 1996 however acquired swept out of the second spherical by the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“Type of want I would performed with him,” mentioned Panthers interim coach Andrew Brunette, who performed 16 NHL seasons earlier than turning his consideration to teaching. “However I acquired to educate him, and that was a terrific expertise.”

Thornton performed in just one playoff sport with the Panthers, that being the sequence finale in opposition to the Lightning. He mentioned he did not undergo the standard handshakes on the finish of that sport pondering it might be his closing moments of his life as an energetic participant.

“I by no means suppose what-ifs, to be sincere with you,” Thornton mentioned. “I simply attempt to dwell within the second and go from there.”

However the Panthers will go into subsequent season believing they’re a contender once more, and if he decides to go for a twenty fifth season, that would definitely enchantment to Thornton.

“I believe the world of Joe Thornton,” Panthers basic supervisor Invoice Zito mentioned.

Thornton is twelfth in regular-season historical past with 1,539 factors. Many of the high 33 scorers in NHL historical past have been enshrined within the Hockey Corridor of Fame; the one ones who aren’t in are Thornton, Jaromir Jagr, Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, and that is as a result of none of these 4 gamers are but eligible.