Joe Thornton will play his 22nd NHL season, and 15th with the Sharks, after agreeing to terms on a one-year contract with San Jose on Sept. 6. The 40-year-old forward had 51 points (16 goals, 35 assists) in 73 games last season and is their all-time leader in assists (780), ranks second in games (1,034) and points (1,024), and is third in goals (244).
Thornton is loved by his teammates and coaches, but it's fair to ask how much is left in the tank for the veteran who played 15:33 per game last season, his lowest average since 1998-99 with the Boston Bruins (15:21).