New York Islanders Must Stay Away From Joe Thornton

The name Joe Thornton has been floating around as a backup plan for the New York Islanders second line center. That wouldn’t be a smart idea.

Since the New York Islanders traded away Travis Hamonic for picks, there’s a possibility that Garth Snow gave up on trying to acquire a second line center option via trade. Now the free agency class is rather weak this year so people have brought up the idea of Joe Thornton as an option. Those people are not me.

Was Joe Thornton a great player in his day? Yes, of course even in recent years he was too. Just over a year ago Thornton put up 80 points for the Western Conference champs. Even this past year he put up 50 points and sure that looks enticing on the surface but you have to dig deeper.

Joe Thornton is about to turn 102 years old (Okay, he’s really turning 38 years old on July 2nd but it just feels like he’s been around forever). The point is the guys a fossil the Islanders don’t need to take a risk on a 38-year-old veteran hoping he puts up points.

To make matter worse he’s looking for another 3-year deal! His previous one was worth just over $20 million (a cap hit of $6.75 million per year). What kind of figures would we be looking at? I mean yeah he put up 50 points last year but 43 of them were assists, the guy doesn’t find the net like he once did.

He’s probably looking for at least $5 million a year over 3-years. Hard pass! By the end of that contract, he’s going to be looking like Jafar when he dressed up as an old man in Aladdin.

The long white beard it’s uncanny! No, but really who’s giving Jumbo Joe three years? Garth Snow for the love of God stay away! He can’t fall into the trap of a poor free agency class and throw money at a star past his prime.

At that point, I’d take my chances with Mathew Barzal holding down the second line. Sure, you’re throwing the kid into the deep end a bit but I think he can handle it. I know one thing, he’ll certainly put up more than seven goals that’s for sure.

Next: Trade Worthy Power Forwards

There’s a reason why he was exposed in the expansion draft by San Jose, they know it’s time to move on. Unless, for their sake, he will take a discount. For the Islanders it wouldn’t make any sense. Keep trying on the trade side Garth, maybe Joe Sakic took his anti-crazy pills this morning.