The 2015-16 season represented a rebirth of sorts for Joe Thornton.
Although he'd produced 65 points the season prior, Thornton's status with the San Jose Sharks came into question as the entire organization endured a tumultuous campaign.
Thornton was stripped of his captaincy, and was rumored to be at wits' end with former Sharks coach Todd McLellan as San Jose missed the playoffs for the first time in Thornton's 10 years with the club.
A year later, and now an alternate captain, Thornton collected 82 points - his highest total since 2009-10. His production came as no surprise to first-year Sharks coach Peter DeBoer.
"He truly loves being at the rink, being around the guys," DeBoer told USA Today's Kevin Allen. "He loves practice to a fault."
The biggest knock on Thornton - and the Sharks as a franchise - has been an inability to get it done in the playoffs.
As the center of attention, the brunt of the blame fell on Thornton's shoulders, and a Stanley Cup is the one thing missing from his sparkling resume. But the idea that Thornton is the reason for San Jose's playoff futility is simply untrue, according to his coach.
"It's a misconception," DeBoer said. "When you hear that, and when you are around Joe Thornton, you realize how ridiculous it is. This guy is exactly what you want in your dressing room and on the ice if you are trying to win a championship."
In 137 career postseason games, Thornton has registered 103 points, including three points in five playoff games this season.
"The fact that he hasn't won (a championship) has nothing to do with him or the effort he puts in," DeBoer added. "I don't think he could be a better leader or example or have more passion for winning. He's just one of those guys whose stars haven't aligned yet."
Thornton and the Sharks begin their second-round series versus Nashville on Saturday night.
