{"id":116949,"date":"2021-08-13T13:35:13","date_gmt":"2021-08-13T17:35:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=116949"},"modified":"2021-08-13T13:39:01","modified_gmt":"2021-08-13T17:39:01","slug":"joe-thornton-signs-with-florida-panthers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2021\/08\/13\/joe-thornton-signs-with-florida-panthers\/","title":{"rendered":"Florida Panthers Sign Veteran Forward Joe Thornton"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Florida Panthers<\/a> have signed unrestricted free agent forward Joe Thornton<\/a> to a one-year, league-minimum contract worth $750,000. The 42-year-old veteran will join the Panthers for his 24th season in the NHL.<\/p>\n

Panthers Sign Joe Thornton<\/h2>\n

The former first-overall pick in the 1997 NHL draft, Thornton has spent the majority of his career as a franchise player on the San Jose Sharks<\/a> and the Boston Bruins<\/a>. Thornton won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player in the 2005-2006 season while also winning the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s leading scorer that same year. He is the San Jose Sharks’ leader in assists, +\/-, and points per game.<\/p>\n

Last season, Thornton signed a one-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> and mostly played a bottom-six role while bringing his leadership and veteran experience to a relatively young Leafs’ team.<\/p>\n

Thornton put up 20 points in 2020-21 and was a key part of their powerplay unit. However, despite putting up solid numbers in the regular season, he was a non-factor for the team in their first-round playoff matchup against the Montreal Canadiens<\/a>. In the seven playoff games that the Leafs played, Thornton had only 1 point.<\/p>\n

What To Expect<\/h3>\n

The signing of Joe Thornton gives the impression that the Panthers are going all-in this season. The team looks to be contending for the Stanley Cup in 2021-22, but first will have to get through a tough Atlantic Division crowded with the powerhouse Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a>, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Montreal Canadiens.<\/p>\n

While Thornton isn’t the same player he once was, he should bring some leadership and playoff experience to a young Panthers’ core. He will also offer some stability to the teams bottom-six as they compete for a playoff spot, whether playing in his natural centre position or on the wing. Although the Florida Panthers signing of Joe Thornton may not improve the team’s skilled core, he is a great addition that will provide some important intangibles that every team values in this league.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>