Joe Thornton to come to Toronto next season?!

They might hold the same speech, veteran forwards Jason Spezza and Joe Thornton know they aren’t done with hockey. While the age might be getting up there, both players want more and are ready to return next season for another shot at the Stanley Cup. 

We have no clue if the Maple Leafs will re-sign Spezza for another season, he who still believes he has a lot to offer the dressing room of young players in Toronto. However, the Leafs might have Thornton on their radar instead, and NHL insider Elliotte Friedman for Sportsnet believe general manager Kyle Dubas will only pick one of the two as a leader to bring on his roster for the 2020-21 season. 

“It may depend on what happens with Spezza, because I don’t know if you can have both of them, but I think Joe Thornton will be on Toronto’s radar, too. Not the first time I’ve predicted it, but someday I might actually be right.”

There was chatter earlier this year that Thornton was targeted by the Maple Leafs around the trade deadline this past February. 

Most fans assume that Thornton would return to the San Jose Sharks for his 23rd season next year, but as an unrestricted free agent, Jumbo Joe could go anywhere. And it sounds like Toronto could be his next destination. 

We know Thornton loves it in San Jose, but might not see them as a strong contender for the Cup before he hangs up the skates. Dubas could make a hard pitch to Thornton on the first day of free agency this October and convince him to become a Maple Leaf. 

We will have to keep an eye on this, and what happens with Spezza as well.