Sharks bring back Thornton, Hertl
The San Jose Sharks retained two key pieces of their offense Monday, signing Joe Thornton to a one-year contract and bringing back restricted free agent Tomas Hertl on a new four-year deal.
Financial terms for each deal were not disclosed, though multiple reports have Thornton earning $5 million next season. Hertl will earn roughly $5.63 million annually, according to The Athletic.
Thornton returns to the Sharks for his 21st season in the NHL. He has been with San Jose since arriving via trade from the Boston Bruins in 2005 and scored 36 points (13 goals, 23 assists) in 47 games last season.
Thornton, who celebrated his 39th birthday Monday, had his 2017-18 season cut short by full tears of the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee. He played the final four games of the team's first-round playoff series following the 2016-17 season with a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee.
Thornton has scored 397 goals and 1,030 assists for his career. The 2006 Hart Trophy winner is first in assists (745), points per game (1.01) and plus-minus (plus-172) in Sharks franchise history.
"Joe has become one of the faces of this franchise since his arrival in 2005 and we feel it's only fitting that he will be wearing teal going forward," said general manager Doug Wilson in a statement. "He is a generational playmaker and his accomplishments place him amongst the elite players to ever play the game. He has helped lead this team to new levels and continues to be one of the top two-way centers in the League.
"Nobody loves the game of hockey more than Joe Thornton and his leadership on and off the ice have been instrumental in this franchise's success. We're excited that he has continued his commitment to this organization and the fans in San Jose."
Thornton had told reporters in May that he hoped to return to the Sharks.
Hertl, 24, had 22 goals and 24 assists in 79 games last season. The forward has 81 goals and 89 assists in five seasons with the Sharks since being selected in the first round of the 2012 draft.
"Tomas took a big step forward last season, both on and off the ice, and we feel that he is just starting to hit his prime," said Wilson in a statement. "He has the ability to be a dominant player in this League and proved during the playoffs that he can take over any given game with his combination of skill and strength. His capability to play both center and the wing gives our team some flexibility, and he has one of the most infectious personalities in our dressing room. We're excited he made this commitment to our organization."
The Sharks officially inked forward Logan Couture to an eight-year contract extension Sunday. They were also among the teams on star free agent John Tavares' radar before he chose to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
--Field Level Media
