Karlsson & Kane Already Plotting Thornton’s Return to San Jose?

“Hopefully this is not our last photo taken together both as [Sharks].”

“I’ll make sure to keep your seat next to me at the back of the plane vacant until you come back.”

All the best to the big man. Hopefully this is not our last photo taken together both as sharks. 😉 #covidtimes pic.twitter.com/a8vkE1fQ5b

— Erik Karlsson (@ErikKarlsson65) October 16, 2020

pic.twitter.com/XQdEXj1DpY

— Evander Kane (@evanderkane_9) October 16, 2020

Are Erik Karlsson and Evander Kane already setting the table for Joe Thornton’s return to the San Jose Sharks? Just hours after it was announced that Thornton had signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs?

It’s not far-fetched, of course: Patrick Marleau left San Jose for Toronto in 2017 and came back in October 2019 (and again in October 2020). Thornton will be a UFA once again at the end of the 2020-21 season.

Whatever happens, hopefully San Jose Sharks fans will get a proper chance to let the 41-year-old know how they feel about him before he hangs them up.

If next season is, as expected, shortened, and Toronto doesn’t travel to San Jose, it’s possible that Thornton’s last game at SAP Center will be an otherwise unmemorable 4-3 loss to Colorado on March 8, 2020, four days before the pause of the 2019-20 campaign.

Hours after the announcement, Thornton’s San Jose Sharks teammates weren’t shy about letting Jumbo know how they feel about him. Besides Kane and Karlsson’s, the tributes poured forth on social media.

Mentor, line mate, friend and all of the above. Going to miss having him around the locker room. They don’t make them like him anymore! You got a good one @MapleLeafs. Good luck in Blue Jumbo! pic.twitter.com/gyDlWqRMNe

— Kevin Labanc (@Str8ToTheBanc) October 16, 2020

Asked Kevin Labanc what he'll miss most about Jumbo.

He joked, "His beard!" Then said: "I will miss his presence and experience that he brought to the locker room and joy every time he came to the rink."

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 16, 2020

Labanc also told San Jose Hockey Now: “He loves to play the game and we will all miss having him around!”

For more than two decades, Jumbo and I have been friends, with the vast majority of those years being teammates, too. I now consider him a brother. Toronto has gained a tremendous influence, and we will miss his presence here in San Jose. Good luck in TO! -PM pic.twitter.com/pE09ZLjllz

— Christina Marleau (@c_marleau) October 17, 2020

Patrick Marleau, via text: "Words can’t express what Jumbo has meant for my career. I love him like a brother, and I know he will be a amazing influence for the Leafs. Our loss is their gain, no question."

— Kevin Kurz (@KKurzNHL) October 17, 2020

Tomas Hertl spoke w/Joe Thornton, his first linemate in the NHL, earlier: "He just told me he would miss me. I was thanking him because he was such a great teammate to me. It's sad because we've been playing with him for so long. You feel like you'll always play w/him" #SJSharks

— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) October 16, 2020

Daaaamn…. going to miss a lot more then just laughing with this guy… ultimate teammate, friend and guy to learn from..@MapleLeafs got a great one coming! pic.twitter.com/S0WMD3aHy7

— Brent Burns (@Burnzie88) October 16, 2020

Brent Burns: “Going to miss the big guy… learned a lot from him, and just going to miss his presence. He’s one of a kind, and not anyone else like him. … Tough to see him go, but happy for him going back home near his family. I know how much they will all love that."

— Kevin Kurz (@KKurzNHL) October 16, 2020

(2/2) He’s just an unbelievable teammate and guy to be around. His work ethic and fun loving attitude wore off on everyone and created an awesome place. Going to be very different not having him and his aura there for sure." #SJSharks

— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) October 17, 2020

Joe Thornton spent some time before the news broke today to call some of his Sharks teammates, including Logan Couture. “That’s just who Joe is. Such a respectful person,” said Couture — who added he has no doubt that Joe can contribute to the Leafs.

— Kevin Kurz (@KKurzNHL) October 16, 2020

More Couture: “I guess it's fair to say that I'm still kind of numb about it. At the same time, it’s his choice, and everyone in this organization respects him for everything that he's done for all of us players… He’s meant so much for my career."

— Kevin Kurz (@KKurzNHL) October 16, 2020

Going to miss this guy a lot! Can’t tell you how much you meant to all the boys in our team. Specially to me! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/cG5cEoyZuE

— Marcus Sörensen (@sorensenmarcus) October 17, 2020

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