It was assumed Joe Thornton wouldn’t be returning to the Florida Panthers this season. Getting into only 34 games — the fewest of his 24 NHL seasons — and scoring only five goals with 10 points, when he was made a healthy scratch during most of the playoffs, it was clear he wasn’t likely going to be a priority for their organization in 2022-23. When Eric Staal was offered a PTO, it really looked like Thornton’s days were done.
Thanks to a post by Thornton’s wife on Instagram, that news appears to be official. She notes that the family will be leaving South Florida and called the split heartbreaking. On Wednesday, she wrote, ”South Florida, I loved our time together!”She added, “This breakup hurts and I will miss you.” Thornton hasn’t commented on his NHL future, nor has he posted an official goodbye, but it is assumed he’ll take some more time to figure out what’s next. Speculation will be that he’ll have three choices: retire, head overseas and play in Switzerland, or take a PTO with an NHL team.
If Thornton elects to retire, it might be some time before an official announcement is made. Traditionally, the veteran has liked to keep his options open until the last possible moment. He’s joined teams late, sometimes making sure he’s ready to play another year after injuries have slowed him down. It’s clear he loves the game, but each and every season he plays less and less, becoming an afterthought.
If he goes the PTO route, there’s every chance he won’t make the NHL club he tries out for. It would be hard to tarnish what Thornton has done in his career or what he’s meant to the game, but one would have to think avoiding that ending to his NHL run would be important.
If he goes back to Switzerland (where his family lives in the offseason), he can close out his hockey career on his own terms.
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