ST. LOUIS, MO - MAY 17: San Jose Sharks' Joe Thornton skates with the puck during the second period of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Western Conference final series between the St. Louis Blues and the San Jose Sharks on May 17, 2019, at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO.

Thornton would return for another season only to play for Sharks

7 years ago
Icon Sportswire / Getty

Joe Thornton hasn't decided whether he'll suit up for another NHL campaign, but if he does, it'll be with the San Jose Sharks.

"It is safe to say," the veteran forward told reporters Thursday. "I'm a Shark. There's one team and it's here."

Thornton said he still has to discuss his future with the team before figuring out his next move.

"I've got to talk to (head coach) Pete (DeBoer), (general manager) Doug (Wilson), and (team owner) Hasso (Plattner), but we'll see," he said. "I feel like I can still play, that's for sure, but I haven't made any decision."

The 39-year-old added that he hasn't set a timeline for his choice.

Thornton will turn 40 on July 2, one day after free agency opens. He's a pending unrestricted free agent on his second straight one-year deal with San Jose.

The skilled playmaker just finished his 21st NHL season and has spent parts of 14 campaigns with the Sharks.

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