Thornton says he's 100 percent healthy, on Sharks' top line at camp

SAN JOSE --Joe Thornton centered the top line with Joe Pavelski and Evander Kane on the first day of San Jose Sharks training camp Friday and said he was 100 percent healthy.

The 39-year-old hasn't played since Jan. 23, when he tore two ligaments in his right knee against the Winnipeg Jets. He tore two ligaments in his left knee two seasons ago against the Vancouver Canucks on April 2, 2017.
"Very excited," Thornton said. "I was close at the end of the year last year to join the fellas. To be back healthy, it's a really good feeling."
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Thornton struggled early last season to regain his form after having left knee surgery April 24, 2017. This time, he's had much longer to recover after having right knee surgery Jan. 25. He skated with the Sharks throughout most of their run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and said he probably would have been healthy enough to play if they defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference second round.
"I've had a long time for rehab," Thornton said. "Got checked out yesterday. They said ready to go."
Coach Peter DeBoer said Thornton looked much better than he did starting training camp last season.
"Night and day," DeBoer said. "And that's good. That's just time. If you asked me where he is today compared to a year ago, his first day at camp, there's no comparison to that. We've got to be cautiously optimistic because he's had two surgeries, but he looks real good."

Thornton said he's excited to skate with Pavelski, his longtime linemate, and Kane, who came to the Sharks in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres on Feb. 26.
"I think for me being a passer, to have the luxury of passing to two goal-scorers, it's something you enjoy and you look forward to coming to the rink because you know you have two finishers on your line," Thornton said.
Pavelski moved from right wing to center on the top line last season after Thornton was injured.
"Really excited," Pavelski said of skating with Thornton and Kane. "There will be a few things we'll work through throughout training camp and try to figure out. Even today, stepping back on the ice, all the things that [Thornton] and I have been able to do, it felt very similar. Didn't miss a beat."
Kane said, "I think [Thornton's] obviously a legend who's actively playing, which is rare in this league. It's great to see him back on the ice."
Defenseman Erik Karlsson, acquired by San Jose from the Ottawa Senators in a trade Thursday, is dealing with work visa issues and missed the first day of camp. The Sharks don't expect him to report until next week.
"I communicated with him today," DeBoer said. "It's all immigration based. He was trying to speed it up."
Forward Melker Karlsson (upper body) has yet to be cleared for contact and skated with the third group.