Sharks Acquire Joe Thornton

[Humpzilla]

Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson pulled off maybe the biggest trade in Sharks history Wednesday night when he acquired perennial All-Star center Joe Thornton from the Boston Bruins. The transaction came with a price as San Jose moved wingers Marco Sturm and Wayne Primeau, along with defenseman Brad Stuart. However when all is said and done, the best player landed in the Bay Area.

Thornton, the first overall pick in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, selected just before his current teammate Patrick Marleau, has played in the past three NHL All-Star games and was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team in 2003.

“He is a leader who scores points and makes other players around him better,” said Wilson. “To get a player of this caliber, you have to give up something to get something. You would make this trade last month, this month or next year. It follows our philosophy of making our team better for this year and next year.”

A power forward at six-foot-four and 223 pounds, the burly center possesses unbelievable skill as he posted a 101 point season in 2002-03. During the current season, Thornton leads Boston with 33 points on nine goals and 24 assists in 23 contests. The 33 points would be a team high for San Jose.

Thornton will also provide strength for Team Teal in the faceoff circle as he is successful 52.2 percent of the time and his even plus/minus rating was one of the best on the struggling Bruins.

The Thornton name is familiar to Sharks fans via Joe’s cousin Scott who has spent his best years in San Jose.

Boston is scheduled to play at home on Thursday, so the newest Thornton will likely join his new team in Buffalo for a Friday night debut.

Thornton is making in excess of $6 million a year, but is signed for four seasons.

[IhateLindros]

Way to be the first one reporting it HUMP...that was a joke.

Seriously, Boston fans have to sh!!ting themselves. You know Sansanov is next. Raycroft will prolly be the only one left after this week.

[Captain Crunch28]

Seeing a lot of big trades this season with the new cap changes.

[SeaCloutierFan]

It's all over the net... Bruins fans across the world are joining hands and jumping...

Wow... Orr yesterday and Thornton today... I feel for B's fans...

[blazinblair]

oh my Beantown must be getting ready to assasinate their GM. What is he doing? does he not want to win?

[OBA]

OMFG !!!!!!!!!!
Need a Second to Take this all in..

[jkidd]

Welcome to the West... *****.

[canuckfan]

Good lord! What a deal for the Sharks! Seriously though, what is O'Connell doing? How does trading your best player, cornerstone, and captain improve your team? You think they should have gotten more for Thornton too.

Biggest deal in the NHL in the last 3 or 4 years for sure. The Sharks just got a heck of a lot better, but I'm not sure whats ging on in Boston right now. Glad I'm not a Bruins fan right now.

[Thrillhouse]

Holy sh*t!! I hope Thornton lights it up in SJ...got him in the pool.

[Unforgiven]

I'd love to see Thornton's reaction to this. I get the feeling O'Connell didn't break the news in person.

Good news for SJ... I'm really starting to feel for Boston fans, though.

[BGDDYKWL]

Wow, huge deal. Hopefully this means more time for Parker.

[Gygax]

I am officially stunned. And I truly feel for the Boston fans on the site, something many (Miller29) will tell you is a rarity. But this one just plain sucks for Beantown.

[Liquor Pig]

I'm in shock..It's not that I can't believe that the B's traded Thorton,what with all the acrimony,...but for so little?? Reminds me of when The Leafs traded Sittler away for what amouted to used stick tape. The ex Sharks coming the other way are decent NHL'ers, but Thorton could have fetched far,far more IMO.
Boston fans must be fuming Smells of a knee jerk,emotional decision..one that will cripple the franchise for years to come.

[BM24]

Just wanted to give my condolenses to Bruins fans!

[cashman rules]

I don't know what to say