Could this be Joe Thornton’s final season with the San Jose Sharks? Are the Boston Bruins planning to bolster their defense? Read on for the latest.
Could the Sharks move Thornton later this season?
Could this season be Joe Thornton’s last with the San Jose Sharks?
CSNBAYAREA.COM: Kevin Kurz recently profiled San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton, who was among the league’s best players despite his squabbles last summer with GM Doug Wilson, his changing leadership role and the Sharks missing the playoffs last season. Thornton, 36, has a full no-movement clause and has expressed his intent to remain with the Sharks. As Kurz notes, however, his chances of playing for a Stanley Cup contender are fading. If the Sharks are out of playoff contention by the trade deadline, Kurz wonders if Thornton might reconsider waiving his movement clause.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Thornton was among the NHL assist leaders last season. If he agrees to waive his movement clause, there will be considerable interest in his services around the league, though his $6.75 million cap hit through 2016-17 could be a sticking point. Still, Thornton has shown no prior willingness to be dealt and there’s no certainty he’ll change his mind this season.
Should the Bruins avoid additional free-agent signings?
CBS BOSTON: Matt Kalman notes the offseason rumors linking the Boston Bruins with UFA defensemen like Cody Franson, but considering the club’s limited cap space for 2015-16 (between $4-$5 million), he feels they should avoid making long-term free agent entanglements this year. Kalman believes GM Don Sweeney should take this season to evaluate his roster and, if possible, make upgrades via an in-season trade. In this way, Sweeney could have sufficient cap space to become a player in next summer’s UFA pool, which is expected to be much deeper than this year’s.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kalman makes some good points. I still expect Sweeney could sign a UFA blueliner, but it’ll be for an affordable one-year deal. He’ll then analyze his roster over the coming season to determine its significant needs and the best means of addressing them.
B’s should contact the Flyers and ask about Luke Schenn who is one year away from UFA….maybe trade a pick and a minor league player for him..
You would have to wonder about Jumbo Joe desire to win the Cup; maybe he still see the sharks as a contender. At the age of 36 he is running out of productive years. Would San Jose make a in state trade that would increase his chances of winning the cup? or the Blues? Am I already counting the east out of winning the cup?
I am not sold on San Jose being a playoff team. Too many teams in the west are better while the Sharks continue to make lateral moves.
So why is Joe stuck on being a Shark if he wants to win a Cup is beyond most of us. Even Ray Bourque realized that there is a point to cut ties to win….not sure the Blues would ever be a fit, but I wonder if a dirty deadline deal with the Caps (how have a legit shot) would be…. food for thought.
Perhaps his desire to win the cup just to win it isn’t very high. Perhaps family takes precedence over winning the cup or perhaps he wants to win it in San Jose and no where else. Although it be funny to see him back on the Bruins roster.
Who knows it is not unusual for a player to resist being dealt or to not go to a Stanley Cup contender when they have a chance. Alfredsson could of and picked Detroit who had little more chance than Ottawa at winning the cup. I remember Ryan Smyth bleeding and crying Oil. He’d would of stuck with Edmonton if he had his way.
Valid points. Just hard to wrap your head around a star player reaching a level of content. Doesn’t happen often.
Gave Mcquaid to much money for 5-6 def, huge mistake not handling the Boychuk situation better
He’s more a 4/5 guy now with Hamilton gone. 2.75 per for 4 years seems reasonable to me. He’s a willing hitter, shot blocker & decent penalty killer.
Looking at comparables considering also he was a UFA which elevates his salary some what due to leverage. Stoner Anh 3.25. Anaheim also gave Bieksa 2 more years at 4 after this years contract expires. Michalek 3.2, Georges 3.9, Smid 3.5, Hainsey 2.8, Stuart 3.6, Quincey 4.25, Ference 3.25, Nikitin 4.5, Mitchell 4.25 etc.
it appears 2.75 is below market value for a #5 Dman in today’s NHL.
I agree with you 100% on McQuaid!! Most ppl argue that he is injury prone, without also stating the way Wolf plays…he is a mean physical d-man, who will drop ’em to stand up for teammates. Not to mention he is only 28 years old.
I could totally be wrong but I cannot see Don Sweeney trading major assets to acquire a rental player like a Seabrook or Byfuglien. The moves he has made to date have been extremely good. A deal with the Blues, for example, for a player like Shattenkirk (who has more term left)makes a whole lot more sense. Now I am not saying this is going to happen, just making a point!
IMHO, I think Trotman is a lock! Morrow has to do or die this season, and Colin Miller may surprise everyone! Let’s wait and see what Sweeney has up his sleeve!
2 2nd’s & a 3rd for a player Boston couldn’t hope to resign seems like pretty decent value to me. It wasn’t all that much less than what they got for Hamilton!
Maybe it’s just simpler than that & more related to Jeff Noel’s thoughts. He just loves living & playing hockey in SJ. I have spent a ton of time in that area of California & it’s beautiful. Very little not to like.
I was shocked SJ didn’t make the playoffs last season & it won’t be any easier this season. I laid a bet on them making the playoffs in the west but every team but Arizona could. I have the difference currently between 7th & 13th at 8 points in the standings at seasons end.
Striker is always so impressed with himself.. So ridiculous
“I have the difference currently between 7th and 13th at 8 points in the standings at seasons end”
I would be willing to bet that doesn’t happen!!
Also thank you for telling us about your bets and your life and how much money hockey brings to you.. like any of us care or can even believe what you say.
Your acting like some loser that gets joy out of trying to pretend he’s a big shot on the Internet.. Just my observations
I can’t wait for your enlightened rebuttal!! With tons of real facts about you and hockey
What does any of this have to do with hockey k? You are just attacking some random person posting on a thread about hockey…who care how you feel about someone personally…speaking of enlightened losers.
And what are you talking shticky? Lmao
Just mimicking Lyle’s comments.
& for the record I consider Lyle to be 1 of the best Blogger’s in the business. This isn’t the 1st time I have taken him to task nor will it be the last But I respect his opinions & value his insight but I don’t always agree & I stand up for my own beliefs & opinions. Just because someone blogs doesn’t make their opinions any more relevant or insightful than yours or mine.
A big part of why I read this sight religiously 365 is there are people that post opinions & ideas here that are brilliant & well reasoned.
Lyle will still get my 45 to 60 hits a day 365 even if we don’t always see eye to eye.
Funny your take on striker, Your observation of another’s character falls on death ears when it is apparent you pump yourself up by trying to tear down another,
As long as Joe puts creature comforts ahead of any desire to win a cup, refusing to waive his no-movement clause, then he’ll remain Shark until the 2017-18 season – by which time he’ll be pushing 39.
I’ve just read a rumour that the Bruins are in talks with Nashville and, possibly, the Jets, about trading Loui Ericksson for a low-priced forward and/or draft picks or prospects. This would give the Bruins the cap space they require, to sign Cody Franson.
I forgot to give the rumour link:
http://predlines.com/2015/09/01/nashville-predators-trade-rumor-persists-loui-eriksson/?
Take that one with not just a grain of salt, Laurie, but the entire salt shaker. Hockey Press is not a valid rumor source. They produce far-fetched, baseless rumors on a daily basis.
Any blog that uses HockeyBuzz as a source lacks any credibility whatsoever.
Ah good old Hockeybuzz, the sight with sources who say many things of many topic but never come to fruition.
Boston just went downhill so fast.. It would be sad if I didn’t dislike them
Sorry Laurie but Hockey Press isn’t a reliable source. So this deal is most likely not happening.
If anyone has read any of strikers comments then they know what I’m talking about..
You come across as a condescending know-it-all
And I know I can be a bit of a troll.. But that’s just me being straight up
You talk like you know how the standings will shake down!! Now I know we have all made our own predictions but you have the audacity to shove yours in our faces like it was written by a God.
Dude if you don’t like Striker giving his predictions of how the season will work out the. Don’t read his stuff.
I for one think Winnipeg will do a Cinderella run to the finals.
Edmonton will push for the Playoffs, McDavids Calder will be threatened by Ehkers,
Washington will be in the finals in the east.
And one week in the great Crosby Kessel combo will come to an end barely started with Croaby having another concussion.
How is that for crazy predictions shoved in your face.
Oh and Karlsson wins another Norris.
@ JeffNoel
You mad bro?
lol funny the guy who comes here and rants and throws tantrums about others asking if someones mad….
Nah, just trying to get a rise out of yah.