SJHN Daily: Thornton’s Last NHL Game? Kane Drops Another Hat Trick

San Jose Sharks fans are running out of former Sharks to cheer for in these playoffs.

Joe Thornton might have played his last NHL game as the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Florida Panthers were just swept in the second round by back-to-back defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Sharks legend made one appearance in the playoffs, a 6:18 cameo in Florida’s 2-0 Game Four loss tonight to Tampa Bay.

If this is indeed the ringless Thornton’s last chance to chase a Stanley Cup, he’ll retire with 1,539 points spanning a 24-year career. The future Hall of Famer scored 1,055 of those points with San Jose.

Thornton joins fellow Sharks fan favorite Joe Pavelski and his Dallas Stars on the outside looking in this post-season. Jake Middleton of the Minnesota Wild is among other ex-Sharks who have been eliminated.

But as Thornton departs to an uncertain future, less-than-fan favorite Evander Kane carries on with the Edmonton Oilers.

Kane has excelled since the San Jose Sharks terminated his contract in January, scoring 22 goals in 43 regular season contests with the Oilers. He’s added a league-leading 10 post-season goals on top of that.

The winger dropped his second hat trick of the playoffs last night, firing a natural hat trick in a 4-1 Edmonton victory over Calgary. The Oilers are currently up 2-1 in a heated series with the Flames.

Head coach Darryl Sutter, who helmed San Jose from 1997 to 2002, is the most noteworthy ex-Shark with Calgary.

Besides Kane, popular Sharks alumni Justin Braun and Barclay Goodrow are still alive in the playoffs with the New York Rangers. The Rangers are down 2-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes in their series.

Goodrow, however, has been out since Game One of the first round, with what’s believed to be a broken left ankle. Meanwhile, Braun has provided steady depth minutes for New York.

Andrew Cogliano of the powerhouse Colorado Avalanche is among the few other Sharks still in the playoffs.

At San Jose Hockey Now…

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And then there was one. Will be a special Content Boyz episode Friday to send Kyle off to kangaroo town https://t.co/lvbYNZKlra

— The Content Boyz (@LockedOnSharks) May 23, 2022

In Other Sharks News…

Why the San Jose Sharks might see the Predators as an inspiration for their 2022-23 playoff ambitions. (The Athletic)

Shoutout @SanJoseSharks own @NickBonino for supporting us at today's match! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/aeFAMykaR8

— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) May 23, 2022

The kids are alright 💪 pic.twitter.com/Ronm8isLpD

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) May 20, 2022

There’s a shark in the water and it’s @rudolfsbalcers 💥

Balcers levels it at 1-1 with the one-timer#LATAUT #IIHFWorlds @lhf_lv @SanJoseSharks pic.twitter.com/f2bhH8aCoU

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 20, 2022

Sharks prospect Joachim Blichfeld is part of a World Championships’ Denmark squad that just beat Canada for the first time in 73 years. (IIHF)

Timo Meier levels Vegas Golden Knights’ Zach Whitecloud with dirty hit?

Worlds Update: Timo Meier Levels Zach Whitecloud With Dirty Hit From Behind

The Hamilton Bulldogs are up 2-0 on North Bay Battalion in the OHL Eastern Conference Final – San Jose Sharks prospects Brandon Coe and Mitchell Russell are with the Battalion. (North Bay News)

Around the NHL…

Czech fans in solidarity with Ukraine at the Ice Hockey World Championship in Finland. The organisers did not allow them to display the Ukrainian flag, so they came up with this 'imagine' solution. I would have liked to use it in my book on constitutional imaginaries. pic.twitter.com/sEj8mtDf4D

— Jiří Přibáň (@JiriPriban) May 23, 2022

In honor of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we're proud to recognize a couple Asian players who have suited up for the Penguins.

First up: Back-to-back Stanley Cup champ, Jim Paek. Just under 32 years ago, Paek became the first Korean-born player to play in the NHL. pic.twitter.com/v2STTvT0pj

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) May 23, 2022

Rick Bowness has stepped down as Dallas Stars head coach. (WFAA)

Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant caught chirping Carolina’s Tony DeAngelo, fumes over late Max Domi cross-check. (NY Post)

Mark Giordano signs a bargain-basement deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. (HockeyBuzz)

It’s official:

.@TheAHL Board of Governors has approved the relocation of the franchise owned by the #Flames to Calgary, Alta., beginning in 2022-23.

📝: https://t.co/Qdusgs8tqQ pic.twitter.com/9JoPfRL8Fj

— AHL Communications (@AHLPR) May 23, 2022

Andrew Brunette disputes report that multiple Florida Panthers players were at the strip club the night before Game Four.

Andrew Brunette disputes Florida Panthers ‘party’ report

Andy Slater, however, checked his sources:

Brunette wants sources checked. No problem. I just checked with my strip club sources, who are the best in the industry. The report by @PatandAaronShow is true. https://t.co/2rtqN7mDnF

— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) May 23, 2022

Colorado Avalanche’s Nazem Kadri getting racist attacks and death threats because of Jordan Binnington injury.

Akim Aliu says Nazem Kadri getting racist attacks, police called in

Brad Marchand calls out Boston Bruins blogger for “tough take.”

Bruins Brad Marchand Calls Out Blogger For ‘Tough Take’

Calgary Flames’ Milan Lucic escapes discipline for charging Mike Smith.

UPDATE: No Discipline Expected After Lucic Collision

Would Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson sign off on another NHL team in Quebec?

Would Geoff Molson Sign Off On Another NHL Team In Quebec?

How much cap space do the Pittsburgh Penguins have for Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang?

Updated Penguins Salary Cap Situation for Malkin, Letang & UFA Needs

Like Sharks fans were watching Thornton, Philadelphia Flyers fans were rooting hard for Jumbo’s Florida teammate Claude Giroux.

Ex-Flyers star Claude Giroux’s season ends; let the speculation begin

What should the New York Islanders expect from top prospect Aatu Räty in 2022-23?

Räty Rose to Occassion, Realistic Role in 2022-23

Andre Burakovsky was a surprise scratch for the Avs, can he bounce back like he did for the Washington Capitals in 2018?

Burakovsky Scratched For Avs Four Years To The Day He Led Capitals To Cup Final

Who’s in, who’s out behind Vancouver Canucks bench?

Canucks Coaches: Walker, Gustafson Out, King and Shaw Stay

What should Detroit Red Wings fans expect from Lucas Raymond next year?

Red Wings Role Call: Lucas Raymond’s Future