Rumor: Sportsnet's Chris Johnston Thornton and Leafs have mutual interest.

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Sportsnet's Chris Johnston was on the SDP yesterday and he said there is mutual interest between the Maple Leafs and Joe Thornton and he thinks there is a pretty good chance Thornton ends up in Toronto

As a Leaf fan I'm all for it, I think if you are a team like the Leafs and you see yourself in win now mode and they clearly do, you need to bring in as much depth as possible, especially given the fact that if the NHL really does intend to play a fyll a play 82 game season, and they claim they do, that would mean an incredibly condensed schedule so you NEED depth.

even at 41 Joe Thornton could be a great addition to any team.

Do you think this gets done? I kind of do.

Click to read more...

 

[Langdon Alger]

Playoff choker signs with a team that can’t get past the first round? Sounds about right.

 

[Team Cozens]

This was speculated in the spring, so yes.

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

Their bottom six is going to be a lot slower and less skilled with Simmonds and Thornton in and Kapanen Johnsson out

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

A shame. They missed on the chance for Spezza-Thornton-Marleau.

 

[FerrisRox]

What is wrong with Kyle Dubas?

This can't be true.

 

[SML2]

Look at the bright side. When they show replays, they can show them at full speed because they will already be in slow motion.

 

[fasterthanlight]

I'd be surprised, but not *that* surprised. I'd say there's still at least a 90 percent chance he ends up in SJ, but, based on some quotes from last trade deadline, Joe seemed a bit disappointed that he wasn't dealt to a contender.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

"And after 22 years....Joseph Thronton! a dream has come true!"

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

This was speculated in the spring, so yes.

This was said yesterday

 

[Bubbles]

I have a feeling he may sign with the Sabres. He's very close to Ralph Kreuger.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

What is wrong with Kyle Dubas?

This can't be true.

You don't like what Dubas has done this off season?

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I have a feeling he may sign with the Sabres. He's very close to Ralph Kreuger.

I don't see them in contention for a playoff spot so I doubt it

 

[BAM]

Their bottom six is going to be a lot slower and less skilled with Simmonds and Thornton in and Kapanen Johnsson out

Hyman-Matthews-Marner
Mikheyev-Tavares-Nylander
Robertson-Thornton-Kerfoot
Simmonds-Speeza-Engval/Barbanov/etc

That lineup has 6 NHL caliber centers for depth and Engval has spent time there in the past as well.

Thornton and Simmonds might be the two slowest Leaf forwards now but Johnsson and Kapanen didn't do much with their skill when playing against physical teams anyways. I'd rather have Thornton over Johnsson and Kapanen for the center depth, vet presence,etc...

Simmonds is nothing more than a 4th liner replacing Clifford...he was never replacing Kapanen or Johnsson to begin with. Robertson is the Leafs top forward prospect and will be given that position to fill.

 

[Team Cozens]

This was said yesterday

Yup, and it was speculated in the spring.....

 

[RoadWarrior]

It's been speculated but to be honest I'm not convinced that it's a done deal. Thornton is looking at $1.5M max on a new contract and the leafs with another trade could squeeze him in easily. However the fact they just signed Vesey at $900k tells you that there's a lack of urgency on both sides.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I'd be surprised, but not *that* surprised. I'd say there's still at least a 90 percent chance he ends up in SJ, but, based on some quotes from last trade deadline, Joe seemed a bit disappointed that he wasn't dealt to a contender.

That's why I don't think he goes back to SJ he already wanted to leave

 

[CupInSIX]

Say it ain't so, Joe.
Say it ain't so.

 

[A1LeafNation]

Vesey Engvall Simmonds
Barabanov Spezza Anderson
Thornton

Possibly Thornton and Spezza alternate.

 

[fasterthanlight]

That's why I don't think he goes back to SJ he already wanted to leave

If I was playing for a cup, I'd want to leave SJ too lol

 

[Team Cozens]

This was said yesterday

This was FEBRUARY 26th


"4. If Thornton is not sold on the Sharks, and he’s willing to seek out new life (boldly go where no one has gone before), my prediction is Toronto will be a factor. I can’t confirm this, but I believe the Maple Leafs considered adding him now. Two things stopped it: 1) their decision not to make short-term fixes after the Carolina loss, and 2) are they really a legit contender if they have to go through Boston or Tampa Bay or both? When GM Kyle Dubas said he wanted to see how his group would respond to its tough stretch, he meant it. Thornton would have eased the tension right now, but the organization wants to see how everyone top to bottom reacts and performs. Next season is a different story."



31 Thoughts: Could Joe Thornton's next destination be Toronto? - Sportsnet.ca

 

[robertmac43]

I would take him in Toronto in a heart beat!

 

[Rob Brown]

I don't see the need for this. Bottom 6 is already way too crowded.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Vesey Engvall Simmonds
Barabanov Spezza Anderson
Thornton

Possibly Thornton and Spezza alternate.

Thornton and Spezza aren't playing behind a 25 year old Russian rookie and a former devils AHL forward

 

[Skolman]

A team with Spezza & Simmonds in their bottom-6 is looking at bringing in Thornton... Speed for days.