Thornton Signs 3-Year Extension

Another big contract extension has been signed just inside the 2011 season, as the San Jose Sharks announced that they have signed their newly-named captain Joe Thornton to a new 3-year extension, which kicks in next season and is worth $21 million, a $7 million per season cap hit.  Thornton will finish the 2014 season at 34 years old, turning 35 just after he qualifies to become an unrestricted free agent.

The Sharks will open their North American campaign tonight at home to the Thrashers after splitting their NHL Premiere schedule with the Blue Jackets, where Thornton scored a pair of goals to start the year.  Definitely a decent start to the year for him and now it will be a test to see how he and his Sharks fare after a week-long layoff to get back from being jet-lagged.

In 2010, Thornton finished the year with 89 points in 79 games for San Jose, ranking him 13th in pool scoring and with a couple points in the first couple games, it looks like he's nicely on pace to repeat the performance.

In the draft this year, Thornton was taken 14th overall in the 1st round by Dale C., who is in desperate need of some heavy Sharks offense starting tonight.  Having your number one pick not play for the last week has done a number on his placement in the standings, but it isn't like he won't be making up these games down the stretch.