Joe Thornton returns as the Sharks continue to look for differences

While the San Jose Sharks missed the signing of John Tavares, they will take Joe Thornton back for another year after "Jumbo" signed a one-year, $ 5 million contract on Monday.

"Joe has become one of the faces of this franchise since his arrival in 2005 and we think it's just that he'll be wearing teal in the future," he said. Sharks general manager, Doug Wilson. "He is a generational playmaker and his achievements place him among the elite players to play the game. He has helped lead this team to new levels and continues to 39; be one of the best centers of the League. Nobody likes hockey as much as Joe Thornton and his leadership on and off ice has been instrumental in the success of this franchise. We are delighted that he has continued his commitment to this organization and San Jose fans. "

39-year-old Thornton played for the last time on January 23 after suffering a complete tear in the ACL and LCM in the right knee, a match against the Winnipeg Jets, undergoing ligament surgery. in his left knee seven months before this injury.

Meeting with reporters after the Sharks season ended in May, Thornton reiterated that he wanted to return for a 14th season in San Jose. also added that he was willing to be flexible in negotiations with Wilson and leave money on the table if it meant bringing in a player like Tavares

"There is enough money for everyone. win the Stanley Cup, "he said via the Mercury News. "This city deserves it and these guys deserve it, so no matter what we decide, it's going to be in my head, I'm just going to improve this team."

With Thornton supported, the Sharks are a little over $ 13 million. Friendly. Only restricted freestyle players Tomas Hertl and Chris Tierney are left to Wilson to sign again.

Given the window of the championship, one has to expect some aggression from Wilson this summer now that the Tavares option has disappeared. Logan Couture and Evander Kane have been re-signed but the likes of Paul Stastny, Ilya Kovalchuk, John Carlson and James van Riemsdyk are now unavailable. With the scarcity of the free agent market, he will have to examine the trade route in order to find improvements, which means that Max Pacioretty, Jeff Skinner and perhaps Artemi Panarin will become targets to pursue

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<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = " Sean Leahy is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports .Leave him a word at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @Sean_Leahy . "data-reactid =" 26 "> Sean Leahy is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports . Drop him a line at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @Sean_Leahy .