Joe Thornton has yet to retire from the NHL, even at 43-years-old. The long-time San Jose Shark spent last season with the Florida Panthers, racking up 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) in 34 games. The veteran center played mostly on the fourth line in a leadership role. Here are some possible landing spots for him to play another season in the NHL.
One spot that could work out for both sides is the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche lost depth center
Nico Sturm to the San Jose Sharks this offseason, and Thornton could be a possible replacement for the team. Along with this, the Avs won the Stanley Cup last season, so there wouldn't be a better place for Jumbo Joe to chase a Stanley Cup.
Another team that he could look at playing for would be returning to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs could always use another veteran forward for their bottom-six, and Thornton fit in quite well during his first stint with the team. He is good friends with
Auston Matthews, so there could be a reunion in the future.
One last team that could be an intriguing option for the 43-year-old would be to join
Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers in a Stanley Cup run. The Oilers made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals, but ran out of gas versus the Colorado Avalanche. Thornton could help solve their problems of lack of depth scoring by bringing in some veteran leadership to the young bottom-six forwards.
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