With how the Sharks are built, he has to be one of the best 3rd liners in the league because their top six isn't going to beat anyone. However, do you really like the way Thornton is right now matched up against many playoff teams we may end up going against? I don't. I think he is susceptible to being exploited by good teams with good coaches come playoff time.
a good coach will exploit any 3rd liner, but i would take thornton as is over pretty much any body realistically that the sharks can trade for to replace him on the 3rd line. he has been good for the past month or so and against even better teams then vegas. but as always when thornton has a bad game its time for him to hang up the skates he is no longer able to play hockey.
And if teams try to exploit the thornton line then the other lines will just make them pay. there are very very few if any teams that can stop all 3 of the sharks lines when they are on the top of there game. would be better for this if of course thornton and pavs would get seperated, but sadly i think we are back to them being joined at the hips again until one gets hurt.
I think that even if you make that distinction, there are still some clear concerns with his game.
well of course, but he is a 39 year old 3rd liner that still controls the game like no other 3rd liner in the league. the minor concerns that his game has still don't diminish all the good parts of his game.
he is a 3rd liner that is on pace for 40 points while coming off a major knee injury that kept him out of the line up for 9 games this season. a 40 point above even 3rd liner and every body would be jumping for joy. but for some reason, with one bad game with thornton and the narrative starts up that he should retire he no longer can keep up, he is finished.