Thornton: Brent Burns is 'the best player in the world'

Brent Burns clearly has a supporter in Joe Thornton.

Following the San Jose Sharks shootout win Wednesday over the Ottawa Senators in which Burns scored a beautiful goal, the veteran center hailed the standout blue-liner as simply the best there is.

"He's the best player in the world," Thornton told reporters after the game. "Not just the best defenseman. The best player in the world."

At the very least, Thornton maintains, Burns should be a lock for the Norris Trophy.

"If he just plays 50 more games, the Norris is just waiting for him. It's that easy for him."

Burns and Erik Karlsson are tied for first in points among defensemen with 28, while his 13 goals put him five ahead of Shea Weber in that category.