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Should the Toronto Maple Leafs Consider Bringing Back Joe Thornton?

By Stephen Nixon

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 17: Joe Thornton #97 of the Toronto Maple Leafs waits for a faceoff against the Ottawa Senators during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 17, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 2-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 17: Joe Thornton #97 of the Toronto Maple Leafs waits for a faceoff against the Ottawa Senators during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 17, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 2-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Joe Thornton announced that he won’t be re-signing with the Florida Panthers, so could he be interested in returning to the Toronto Maple Leafs?

Reuniting Thornton with the Toronto Maple Leafs could be a welcomed sight for the dressing room, but what could he really bring at 43-years-old?

For the past few seasons, Thornton has regressed, but his influence in the dressing room has always been noticed. Every player who’s ever played with him seems to love him , so during a long 82-game season, having him around can help lighten the mood.

When you play in the NHL, but more specifically the Leafs, it’s easy to get stressed.

The team hasn’t won a playoff game since 2004 and they haven’t won a Stanley Cup since 1967. Even though this is the best team in regular season history over the past two years, not winning a playoff series has put a toll on the fanbase.

Many fans of this team have stopped watching them all together, or have jumped ship, because they can’t take it anymore.

A Thornton Return Doesn’t Make Sense for the Toronto Maple Leafs

The only good thing about a Joe Thornton return would be the sound-clip’s and his contract.

He’d make the league-minimum and would be on a one-year contract, but other than that, he wouldn’t really help the team.

Instead of allowing a younger player to grow and develop, Thornton would be a disappointing player on the team’s fourth-line. During the 2020-21 season, he unfortunately couldn’t keep up with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner and only scored five goals and had 20 points in 44 games.

Then, last season, he scored 10 points in 34 games and only appeared in one playoff game with the Panthers.

If Toronto was interested in Thornton returning to Toronto, it would only make sense in a Jason Spezza role. Spezza is now a special advisor to Kyle Dubas and will be an important piece in business decisions and player meeting’s.

At this point in his career, Thornton’s best use to be an impact to the Leafs could be in the front office or as some type of assistant coach.

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Matthews was clearly a fan of him, so having him around the building could be nice for the players, but he just unfortunately won’t help the team on the ice.

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