Joe Thornton News

Thornton will replace Ryan Lomberg, who was suspended for one game on Monday. It will be Thornton's 32nd game of the season and he comes in with five goals and five assists.

Thornton has been a healthy scratch for the last seven games but will replace Carter Verhaeghe (maintenance) in the lineup on Thursday. Thornton has tallied five goals with four assists (nine points) in 30 games this season.

Thornton played in two straight games, registering an assist in both, but will come out of the lineup with Anton Lundell (lower-body/illness) returning to the lineup.

Not only does it look like Thornton will be back in the lineup, it looks like he'll play on the top line with Aleksander Barkov and Carter Verhaeghe. Thornton has just four goals and two assists (six points) in 24 games this season but will be amped up to face his former team in San Jose.

Thornton will play against his former team on Saturday after sitting as a healthy scratch for the last three games. Thornton has been quiet offensively this season, scoring just four goals with two assists in 22 games.

Thornton has missed the last eight games with an undisclosed injury but will be a game-time decision vs. the Devils. Thornton would replace Aleksander Barkov in the lineup but centre the third line and second power-play unit. If Thornton can't go, look for Maxim Mamin to play.

Thornton has been ruled out for Monday's game vs. the Flames but it's unclear who will replace him on the top-line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Expect one of Travis Boyd, Jimmy Vesey or Ilya Mikheyev to take his spot but that will not be revealed until warmups.

Thornton has been out since January 20th with a rib fracture but was a full participant in Sunday's practice and told reporters he "can't wait to play tomorrow" after the session. Thornton, who had one goal and one assist in five games before getting hurt, was back on the top line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

Thornton left Wednesday's game following a collision in the third period and appeared to be in obvious discomfort. He underwent further evaluation on Thursday and the Maple Leafs announced he's dealing with a fractured rib on Friday morning. In addition to Thornton, Auston Matthews is also dealing with an upper-body injury, so both Adam Brooks and Pierre Engvall will enter the Maple Leafs lineup vs. Edmonton.

Thornton was hurt early in the third period of Wednesday's loss to the Oilers and did not return. Thornton was not on the ice for Thursday's practice and is scheduled to undergo an MRI. Early indications are that Thornton is going to miss some time. Look for Jimmy Vesey to skate with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner on Friday.

Thornton is back for his 22nd NHL season at the age of 40-years-old. It will be his 15th season with the Sharks and he is coming off of a solid 51-point (16G / 35A) campaign in 2019. He has very minimal upside as the Sharks No.3 centre and should be left on the fantasy hockey waiver wire to start the season.

Thornton was suspended for Game 4 but will replace Lukas Radil in the lineup for Game 5, and will skate with Marcus Sorensen and Kevin Labanc. Thornton has a point in each game, scoring one goal on eight shots with two assists through three games in the series.