SAN JOSE — Under less suspenseful circumstances, Joe Thornton followed the precedent that he set last summer, opting to rejoin the Sharks for another year.
Thornton signed a one-year contract reportedly worth $5 million with the Sharks Monday, ensuring that he’ll return to San Jose for a 14th season in teal.
The 38-year old’s decision isn’t surprising. He expressed a desire to remain with the team two days after the Sharks were eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs in May. He stayed flexible throughout the negotiating process, ensuring his contract gave the Sharks wiggle room under the salary cap to pursue John Tavares in free agency and extend Logan Couture to a longterm extension.