Sharks GM on Joe Thornton: ‘Our relationship is at really good place’
BOCA RATON, Fla. – First things first: San Jose Sharks general manager Doug Wilson has never asked center Joe Thornton to waive his no-trade clause – the no-trade clause in the three-year extension to which he signed Thornton little more than a year ago – and Thornton has given no indication he wants out.
“Joe is not going anywhere,” Wilson said Tuesday at the NHL GM meetings. “Joe is a San Jose Shark. We talked this past summer about the direction we were going. He wants to be a part of it, and he’s followed through on his end of the bargain. He's played extremely well, taking great care of the kids, integrated them in. He’s a good man.”
But Wilson and Thornton have been at odds since the Sharks blew a 3-0 series lead to the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the playoffs last year. The Sharks took the captaincy from Thornton before this season.
The issue resurfaced last week after Wilson spoke to a group of season-ticket holders. He told them Thornton cared about the game and had a big heart, but the pressure and stress were getting to him, he lashed out at people and it affected them. He said he explained to Thornton other players needed to share in leadership, and though Thornton didn’t like it, he understood.
Thornton responded by saying Wilson needed to “stop lying” and “shut his mouth.”
Owner Hasso Plattner stepped in afterward and asked Thornton to call Wilson.
“We had a great conversation,” Wilson said. “He said all the things that I needed to hear. He and I are at a great place. We’re focused on the game upcoming tonight, which is a big game for us. It’s one of those things that just happens, but he’s a good man. He and I have had many colorful and creative conversations because we care so much. It’s just one of those situations, but we moved on probably two minutes after he called me. That's where we’re at.”
How much damage needed to be repaired?
“As I said, I’ve got a very good relationship Joe, and Joe has been very supportive with what we’re doing this year, integrating all the young players and what he’s done,” Wilson said. “It’s just one of those things. He called. We talked. I said, ‘Great. Let’s go. We good?’ He said, ‘Yeah, we’re both good.’ He went and played the next day and played great against Chicago again. That’s really what it comes down to. He’s leading by example, playing hard. I think he’s done a heck of a job this year for us.”
Did Thornton explain to Wilson why he called him a liar?
“No,” Wilson said. “The conversation we had really resolved everything very quickly, emotions and things like that. As I say, our relationship is at a really, really good place and that’s all that really matters.”
Thornton declined to comment to reporters in Winnipeg.
“Old story,” he told them. “I’m done talking about that.”
