Free agent Joe Thornton reportedly already has post-retirement plans
Another year has gone by for "Jumbo" Joe Thornton, who is still waiting to be picked up by a team who is willing to give him one more shot at winning a Stanley Cup. Unfortunately for the 43-year-old his play is certainly reflecting his age and retirement may be something the former Leaf will have to think about.
According to San Jose Hockey Now, the four time all-star has been training in Switzerland this off-season and has verbally agreed to be the head of the Spengler Cup tournament. The Spengler Cup is an invitational tournament held annually in Davos, Switzerland. It is one of the oldest invitational ice hockey tournaments of its kind, first being held in 1923.
Now "Jumbo" would certainly like to keep playing in the NHL for a shot at the Stanley Cup, something he hasn't been able to secure in his 24-year career. Coming off of a year with a President Trophy winning Florida Panthers team, Thornton played 33 games, his lowest in a season, and contributed five goals and five assists for ten points in those games.
It's very evident that Joe is starting to slow down and taking on more of a veteran leadership role on teams is pretty well all he can offer, which should be expected from a 43-year old. If the end of an era is near and Thornton really is pondering his future, taking over a big role for the Spengler Cup could be something fun for him to look forward to post-retirement.
