Captain Joe Thornton plans to remain in teal, but there is one scenario in which the nine-year Shark would reconsider.
"If he felt the fans didn't want him in San Jose, he might re-think things," his agent and brother John Thornton recently told the San Jose Mercury News.
According to the Toronto Sun, the Maple Leafs are among at least six NHL teams that have “kicked the tires” concerning Thornton's availability.
The 17-year veteran and three-time All-Star has a full no-trade clause thanks to a three-year contract extension signed in January, and would have to approve any deal. John Thornton has suggested several times on Twitter in recent weeks that Joe's preference is to stay in San Jose.
"He's perfectly happy there right now," John Thornton told the Mercury News. "He wants to stay there and win the cup. He believes they still have enough talent."
Sharks GM Doug Wilson suggested there will be some significant changes to the Sharks’ roster after the club blew a 3-0 first round playoff series lead to Los Angeles, and that could include moving Thornton and/or winger Patrick Marleau.
Wilson has also said there will be “different players in core leadership roles,” which may mean stripping Thornton of the captaincy.
