Jumbo Joe Thornton expects to play next season

As the days continue to pass with the 2019-20 NHL season still suspended, it seems eminent that even if the season returns, in lieu of being cancelled entirely, it's unlikely that it will return in its standard format. Some of the more speculated ideas would be higher ranking teams competing towards the Stanley Cup, or possibly jumping back in with the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Regardless of how the NHL proceeds given the COVID-19 outbreak, it seems unlikely San Jose Sharks veteran forward Joe Thornton will return to the ice this season.

Thornton, who was the first overall pick in the 1997 NHL Draft, was in the middle of his 15th season in San Jose, where he has served as both captain and alternate captain for the organization. It is also his 22nd season in the league, including his 7 seasons with the Boston Bruins.

At the end of the 2018-19 season, Thornton signed a one-year deal to remain in San Jose, most assumed to finish out his career with the organization and retire. With the season brought to a halt, the question of Joe Thornton's future on the ice hangs in the balance.

On Tuesday, Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic spoke with Jumbo Joe via text message. He then stated on Twitter that 22-year veteran addresses his future with the NHL, stating he “has years to go.”

Checked in with Joe Thornton today. Even if the NHL season resumes at some point, I'm not sure non-playoff teams will be involved. So I asked him about playing next season.``I have years to go!,'' Jumbo replied via text. So plan on seeing him next season (and maybe beyond)...— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 17, 2020

While it is uncertain where Thornton may suit up for next season, as he will be a free agent, he seems set on returning to the ice for the upcoming season. As LeBrun said, “plan on seeing him next season.”

Thornton has appeared in 1,635 career games since 1997, and amassed an impressive 1,509 points through said games. While he's never hoisted the Stanley Cup, he's contested for it with deep play off runs through most of his career, and almost undoubtedly will land a spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

And it seems as though he's not done yet.

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