Former Ducks GM says he made a better offer for Joe Thornton

It has been revealed that Joe Thornton was almost a member of the Anaheim Ducks before being traded to the San Jose Sharks. Former Ducks GM Brian Burke, appearing on SN650's "Starting Lineup" on Thursday, revealed he made what he considered a better offer for Thornton to the Boston Bruins on the morning he was traded to the Sharks in November of 2005.

"We were in hard on Joe Thornton when Boston traded him and we made what we thought was a really outstanding offer the morning he got dealt," Burke said

"We didn't know that they had already committed to the trade with San Jose. But we stepped up in Anaheim and made what I considered to be a huge offer, and a better offer than Boston got."

The Sharks sent forwards Marco Sturm and Wayne Primeau, as well as defenseman Brad Stuart to Boston in exchange for the then-26-year-old Thornton. Burke wouldn't say the names Anaheim had offered, but did elaborate somewhat.

"We had a pretty good team in Anaheim, guys. It was a pretty good team," Burke said. "So if you're only protecting five, that sixth player is pretty darn good. ... We were talking a meaningful player, a first-round pick, and a couple of kids. And they made the deal with San Jose instead. I was really choked about that."

Thornton went on to record 1055 points in 1104 games with the Sharks after the trade.

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