Sharks legend Joe Thornton’s NHL future undecided after Panthers’ playoff exit

Jumbo’s future undecided after Stanley Cup bid falls short originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea

Joe Thornton’s season with the Florida Panthers ended in the second round of the NHL playoffs Monday night, potentially marking the Sharks legend’s final game on the ice.

Thornton, who spent 15 seasons with San Jose before departing after the 2019-20 season, signed a one-year contract with the Panthers last summer at 42 years old.

After the Tampa Bay Lightning’s second-round sweep of Florida on Monday, Thornton told reporters the next morning that he hasn’t “put any thought into” whether or not he’ll return next year for his 25th NHL season.

Thornton will turn 43 this summer after 1,714 games, 430 goals and 1,539 points across his storied career. He played in over 1,100 of those with the Sharks, where he remains the franchise’s all-time leader in assists (804) and plus/minus (161).

He also holds the Sharks’ single-season record for points after putting up 114 in 2006-07.

Thornton was welcomed back to SAP Center in March for the first time since he left, with plenty of fanfare from the Shark Tank despite their former forward suiting up with the opposing Panthers.

Even with his success in San Jose, the Sharks never hoisted the Stanley Cup during Thornton’s time with the team. What could perhaps have been his final shot at a championship fell short with the Panthers’ 2-0 loss to the Lightning Monday night.

On Tuesday, Thornton told reporters he was shocked by top-seeded Florida’s sudden exit from the postseason. He has yet to announce if he will rejoin the team next season — or if he’ll play at all — but for now, the future Hall of Famer is taking things one day at a time.

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“I have no plans and it’s kind of exciting that way,” Thornton said (h/t Florida Hockey Now). “I’ve been privileged to play this game for a long time, so I don’t take anything for granted, but I never think ‘what ifs’ to be honest.

“I just try to live in the moment and go from there.”

While Thornton’s future in the NHL is uncertain, one thing’s for sure: Jumbo will always be celebrated in San Jose.