Major Bombshell on Joe Thornton's Future in the NHL
NHL Legend to Make a Comeback?
Hockey legend Joe Thornton hasn't played in the NHL since the 2021-22 season. However, a new report suggests that he might return.
In an interview, Mario Ferraro, the Sharks' defenseman, shared with Elliotte Friedman that Thornton, at 44, still wants to play.
Careful not to speak on behalf of his friend, Ferraro was asked if he thought Thornton might retire. 'No, I don't,' he replied. 'I don't think he will. I think he's just going to hang around. I think he could still play, though. He buzzes.' Does he want to? 'I can't speak for Jumbo, but I do. Deep down, I feel like he does.' Let's find this man a contract." - Elliotte Friedman
Is Thornton's Return Realistic?
Thornton's comeback isn't a sure thing at all. First, a team would need to be interested. Without a contract, he won't play.
Also, he has a strong connection with the Swiss club HC Davos, making the option of pursuing his career in Europe a realistic one.
Let's not forget that he's 44 years old and the league is only getting faster. Could he really compete against other teams' fourth lines?
Do you think Thornton will return to the NHL?
As seen on Bruins Insider - Former Bruin And Future Hall Of Fame Player Making a Return to the NHL
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 15 | 103 ANSWERS Major Bombshell on Joe Thornton's Future in the NHL Do you think Joe Thornton will come back in the NHL? | ||
| Yes | 24 | 23.3 % |
| No | 79 | 76.7 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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APRIL 29, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Kirby Dach | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Brendan Gallagher | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Dominic James | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Zachary Bolduc | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Gage Goncalves | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Yanni Gourde | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Kaiden Guhle | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Alex Newhook | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Noel Acciari | - | - | - | |
| Josh Anderson | - | - | - | |
| Denver Barkey | - | - | - | |
| Oliver Bjorkstrand | - | - | - | |
| Alex Bump | - | - | - | |
| Alexandre Carrier | - | - | - | |
| Noah Cates | - | - | - | |
| Cole Caufield | - | - | - | |
| Erik Cernak | - | - | - | |
| Yegor Chinakhov | - | - | - | |
| Anthony Cirelli | - | - | - | |
| Sean Couturier | - | - | - | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||
| 2025-2026 NHL STANDINGS | ||||||
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Sabres | 82 | 50 | 23 | 9 | 109 | |
| Lightning | 82 | 50 | 26 | 6 | 106 | |
| Canadiens | 82 | 48 | 24 | 10 | 106 | |
| Bruins | 82 | 45 | 27 | 10 | 100 | |
| Senators | 82 | 44 | 27 | 11 | 99 | |
| Red Wings | 82 | 41 | 31 | 10 | 92 | |
| Panthers | 82 | 40 | 38 | 4 | 84 | |
| Maple Leafs | 82 | 32 | 36 | 14 | 78 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Hurricanes | 82 | 53 | 22 | 7 | 113 | |
| Penguins | 82 | 41 | 25 | 16 | 98 | |
| Flyers | 82 | 43 | 27 | 12 | 98 | |
| Capitals | 82 | 43 | 30 | 9 | 95 | |
| Blue Jackets | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 92 | |
| Islanders | 82 | 43 | 34 | 5 | 91 | |
| Devils | 82 | 42 | 37 | 3 | 87 | |
| Rangers | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Avalanche | 82 | 55 | 16 | 11 | 121 | |
| Stars | 82 | 50 | 20 | 12 | 112 | |
| Wild | 82 | 46 | 24 | 12 | 104 | |
| Mammoth | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Blues | 82 | 37 | 33 | 12 | 86 | |
| Predators | 82 | 38 | 34 | 10 | 86 | |
| Jets | 82 | 35 | 35 | 12 | 82 | |
| Blackhawks | 82 | 29 | 39 | 14 | 72 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Golden Knights | 82 | 39 | 26 | 17 | 95 | |
| Oilers | 82 | 41 | 30 | 11 | 93 | |
| Ducks | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Kings | 82 | 35 | 27 | 20 | 90 | |
| Sharks | 82 | 39 | 35 | 8 | 86 | |
| Kraken | 82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 79 | |
| Flames | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| Canucks | 82 | 25 | 49 | 8 | 58 | |
COMPLETE STANDINGS | ||||||