On the San Jose Sharks and Joe Thornton …
Curtis Pashelka of The Mercury News: Forward Joe Thornton is a pending UFA and he hopes he’s able to come back next year.
“I want to come back, and I’m sure we’ll try and work something out,” he said. “It’s no secret I’m a Shark. I bleed teal and I want to come back and I know I’m going to be healthy when I come back. I’m sure we can figure something out, but I want to come back.”
The Sharks have around $20 million in salary cap space this offseason. They have a few RFAs to take care of and future extensions for Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski to consider. They will also likely try to re-sign Evander Kane.
The 38-year old Thornton is okay with signing one-year deals and is willing to take a pay cut from the $8 million he made this past season.
GM Doug Wilson has said that he’ll meet with Thornton and his agent “very quickly.”
On the San Jose Sharks and Evander Kane …
Paul Gackle of The Mercury News: Sharks head coach Pete DeBoer is open to the idea of having Evander Kane back in the fold next year.
“With open arms,” said DeBoer, who also coached Kane on Team Canada at the 2010 IIHF World Championships.
“I liked the idea of him through my small experience with him, and when you’re around a guy for two-three months and in the trenches with him, both in good times and in tough times, you get to learn more about people and he is exactly what I thought he was — which is great.”
Kane has said that his time with the Sharks has been really positive but he not prepared to commit just yet.
“Common sense tells you, there are three priorities that you look for as a player: money, chance to win and lifestyle,” Kane said. “Those are the three priorities and it just depends on how you rank them.”
Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski and Brent Burns all had positive things to say about Kane both on and off the ice.