Joe Thornton

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

It's NOT Joe's fault.

Worse than touching the President's Cup, worse even than touching the Octopus, the Sharks embraced the vile pile of infected smegma known as Claude LePuke. This is God's holy vengeance for allowing his fetid continence back on NHL ice. Amen.

Totally agree - had nothing against the Sharks until they signed that fossil that dwells in the fires beneath the earth's surface. Seeing that *&%$^# on the ice makes me puke - sorry for their fans - but would love for the curse of that guy to take down the ship....

[toby91_ca 620]

To be honest, I would really only watch San Jose in the playoffs if they are in the later rounds, which they never really seem to reach, so I haven't watched much, so a lot of what my response is based on will be stats.

I think it is a bit unfair to paint Joe as a playoff choker. His playoff stats aren't that bad, especially in the last few years. He does not score a lot of goals, but he's not a goal scorer. We're also putting him back under the microscope now after 2 games and also suggesting he doesn't have the heart like Ovechkin...at least one person said this anyway. Last I checked, Ovechkin's team is down 0-2 as well and Thornton has just as many goals in the playoffs as Ovechkin.

If you want another comparison, Joe's career playoff stats are better than Datsyuk's and yes, he has a drop off from regular season production, but so does Dats, even the past 2 years where Dats produced well. Again, this is based purely on stats, I know Dats brings a lot more and I haven't watched enough SJ games in the playoffs to comment on Joe's intangibles.

[eva unit zero 271]

Career-wise, the three players Boston received for Thornton produce about 35% more offense in the postseason while also being better defensively and providing more of a physical presence.

Also notably, a couple seasons later Wayne Primeau and Brad Stuart (and nothing else) were traded to Calgary for Chuck Kobasew and Andrew Ference (and nothing else).

Sturm, Kobasew, and Ference are all still on the team. That's definitely better than just Thornton, especially at Thornton's price. Maybe that's part of why Boston has had such a turnaround.

[Vladifan 680]

I assure you that my thoughts are not nearly as "PG".

As a fan, I would hate to have to be going through what you're going through. I think we all - OK, most of us here - figured the Sharks would win this battle with the Ducks. In fact because of the iffy, inconsistent reffing I was hoping they would take the Ducks and still am. At least most of your guys fight fair.

I know as a fan of a good team it's a crappy feeling to watch them not do so well. I honestly feel for ya.

And meanwhile as a fan of the Wings, I'm hoping we beat the Jax real soon. The Wings are gonna need some time to rest up and (hopefully not!) figure out how to beat Hiller and/or Luongo.

Edited April 20, 2009 by Vladifan

[Doggy 130]

Thornton was awful last night. I can't figure it out. How can he be so much worse than he was in the regular season? JR was the only pulse on the Thornton line. Thornton won no races, he won no battles, he was consistently out of position (particularly on the PP) and he showed zero urgency. I don't get it. How? Why?

[hillbillywingsfan 794]

i just think that joe is being done the same way as nash is being done in the wings games. they are shutting him down. focusing on him.

[Dano33 41]

To be honest, I would really only watch San Jose in the playoffs if they are in the later rounds, which they never really seem to reach, so I haven't watched much, so a lot of what my response is based on will be stats.

I think it is a bit unfair to paint Joe as a playoff choker. His playoff stats aren't that bad, especially in the last few years. He does not score a lot of goals, but he's not a goal scorer. We're also putting him back under the microscope now after 2 games and also suggesting he doesn't have the heart like Ovechkin...at least one person said this anyway. Last I checked, Ovechkin's team is down 0-2 as well and Thornton has just as many goals in the playoffs as Ovechkin.

If you want another comparison, Joe's career playoff stats are better than Datsyuk's and yes, he has a drop off from regular season production, but so does Dats, even the past 2 years where Dats produced well. Again, this is based purely on stats, I know Dats brings a lot more and I haven't watched enough SJ games in the playoffs to comment on Joe's intangibles.

Remember though, in 2002 Dats played 21 games (6 pts) on the 4th line and wasn't asked to lead his team to victory. Joe has always been the #1 guy. Even taking away that playoff year from Datsyuk there is a dropoff from regular season stats though, so your comparison is still valid. I just think the pressure gets to Joe sometimes.

[Doggy 130]

i just think that joe is being done the same way as nash is being done in the wings games. they are shutting him down. focusing on him.

That has something to do with it but it doesn't explain why he barely moved his skates all night.

Crosby was being worn like a glove in the Finals last year and he skated like a madman. He was DESPERATE to get the puck and make something happen every single shift. Love him or hate him, it's a fact. Eventually, it paid off for him.

I fell asleep during game 1 so I'm only talking about game 2 but in it, Joe looked indifferent.

[up2here 41]

I tend to agree with mos of these posts but there a few things we need remember:

1.The SJ/Ana series is not over yet. If the Sharks come back win the series, end up playing the Wings and Thornton dominates us I am blaming each and every one of you.

2. Steve Yzerman had the same label until the 13 or 14 season of his career.

Edited April 20, 2009 by UP2HERE

[Z and D for the C 712]

at least we aren't idiot fans, we just came here to talk hockey

I thoroughly enjoy having fans of other teams posting on this board, actually. As long as they don't act like idiots, that is.

[Ozzie30 170]

2002 - Western Conference Quarter Finals

Det -Vs- Vancouver

'Nuff said.

[redwingfan19 293]

all big joe needs to do is go to the net hard and push guys around and use his size. He sticks to much to the perimeter trying to mkae pretty plays and thats what is killing him. He needs to get that big frame into the high traffic areas and use that long reach to his advantage

[Z and D for the C 712]

2. Steve Yzerman had the same label until the 13 or 14 season of his career.

In his first post season he had 3 goals and 3 assists in 4 games. 2 years later he has 18 points in 16 games. Another couple years and he had 5 goals and 5 assists in 6 games. Hardly a playoff choker.

Note: Looking at his stats makes me so I was too young to remember/watch his entire career.

[Jwo 7]

Joe Thornton likes to take his vacation early.

[Turretin 0]

GUYS!!!

SJ is playing a division rival, and franchise rival in the first round of the playoffs. If you've followed the Wings for a while, you know that there are few things scarier. The first round is nerve racking enough without having a team that knows you so well.

If the Sharks were overachievers, then the Ducks were underachievers. There was not a team in the league that didn't have that game circled in their mind as one where they would have to sacrifice for a win. The Ducks know what it takes, and are better than their regular season record reflects.

Put all this together: (1) in same division, (2) rivalry matchup, (3) perrenial playoff struggles, (4) #8 seed that is better than their record reflects, and (5) first round matchup. That combination should have tipped us off that the Sharks would be in a battle for their lives. At this point, I don't think they can come back. Hoping they push it to 7, but not optimistic.

-T

[up2here 41]

In his first post season he had 3 goals and 3 assists in 4 games. 2 years later he has 18 points in 16 games. Another couple years and he had 5 goals and 5 assists in 6 games. Hardly a playoff choker.

Note: Looking at his stats makes me so I was too young to remember/watch his entire career.

Exactly,yet Stevie still had that reputation. Also its hard to compare stats from the mid 80's with stats from now.

Edited April 20, 2009 by UP2HERE

[clutchngrab 12]

As underachieving as Thorton is, Marleau is worse. Here is the captain of a team that doesn't show up for the optional morning skate.

[Guest Shoreline]

As underachieving as Thorton is, Marleau is worse. Here is the captain of a team that doesn't show up for the optional morning skate.

For several years now Sharks fans have been hinting at another Captain, although I'm kinda hard pressed as to who would logically BE their next Captain with this current roster. The Thornton thing is kinda recent, like, as of last year. This may be Marleau's last stint as captain though, and maybe even with the Sharks whenever his contract runs out.

[MaynardJKeenan 1]

2002 - Western Conference Quarter Finals

Det -Vs- Vancouver

'Nuff said.

lol, huh? 'nuff said? what in sams hell does that have to do with Jumbo Joe, or did I miss something. That kind of came out of left field.

[Dano33 41]

lol, huh? 'nuff said? what in sams hell does that have to do with Jumbo Joe, or did I miss something. That kind of came out of left field.

Wings went down 0-2 losing both home games, same with San Jose this year. I'm pretty sure thats what hes gatting at, but really the only thing that says is that its possible for San Jose to comeback in this series which is obvious because they have not lost 4 games yet.

[Grim 5]

the Sharks look gassed. come to think of it, they haven't looked all that sharp for much of the second half of the season.

[stactum 4]

Not that I am defending Sharks or anything, but they've managed to shoot 44 times and got only 2 goals, Ducks got 3 from 26.

I have only two comments about that:

1. You have to have guys like Holmstrom and Franzen who can stick their butt in goalie face.

2. Even if you have them doing that you are not protected of being 0-4 in the series (Detroit 2003 vs Ducks)

[19Hockeytown5 0]

I think a playoff vs regular season stat can be misleading. In the playoffs, the teams are all good. The defensive play, physicality, and intensity picks up ten fold. In the regular season, you play a lot of bad teams and can rack up points. I think it's only natural that your average stats would be lower...

I never watch Thorton or the Sharks, but I refuse to put blame on one man. They ALL are choking and I'm loving it

Edited April 20, 2009 by 19Hockeytown5

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

They made a great move. Thornton is a joke, seriously, I'm pissed I used to even like Joe, he cant get up for the games, it has nothing to do with foot speed or talent, Thornton cant get up for the big game. I wish I could change Datsyuks name to Brian Anderson so he could freakin lead Canada next year cuz I sure as hell dont want it to be Thornton.

[Dabura 12,232]

I think a playoff vs regular season stat can be misleading.

In some cases, yes. But not this one. People aren't ripping on Joe because of just these two games; the guy's continuing a multi-season trend.