Joe Thornton may be done with his career. Or not.
The veteran center, who just completed his 24th season in the NHL and first with the Florida Panthers, said Wednesday that he has not decided whether to retire or continue playing.
Thornton said that his wife was asking him last night. It is exciting that way. I came here to win a title. I think the Florida panthers are going to be good for a long time. It is exciting around here now.
Will Thornton be part of that excitement going forward?
Zdeno Chara of the New York Islanders turned 45 in March and was the second-oldest skater to play in a game this season, behind Thornton, who just completed his 24th season in the league.
Two of the four players in their 40s got into games. Buffalo Sabres goalie Craig Anderson was a month shy of turning 41 when he made his final appearance of the season, while the Eskimos' Mike Smith turned 40 in March.
Thornton said that he has been privileged to play this game for a long time.
After playing 23 seasons in the NHL, Patrick Marleau decided to retire. During his career, he played 1,779 regular season games, breaking the record held by Gordie Howe.
Thornton has played in more regular-season games than any other player. He joked that he would let Marleau stay in the history books.
Thornton scored five goals and added five assists in 34 games for the Panthers.
He loves to work and everybody loves to be around him. You can see how much he cares about the sport, how much he loves to play, and how much he loves being around the boys. He doesn't like taking any days off.
Lundell was born in 2001. Thornton started his fifth NHL season one day later.
Thornton picked the Florida team because he wanted to win his first Stanley Cup. The team set team records for goals, wins and points, but lost to the Lightning in the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 1996.
Andrew Brunette, who played 16 NHL seasons before turning his attention to coaching, said he wished he had played with him.
Thornton played in the final game of the series against the Lightning. He did not go through the traditional handshakes at the end of the game because he thought it could be his last time as a player.
Thornton said that he never thought what-ifs.
If Thornton decides to go for a 25th season, that could appeal to him because the panthers will believe they are a contender again.
"I think the world of Joe Thornton," said Bill Zito, the general manager of the Panthers.
Thornton is 12th in regular-season points with 1,539. Most of the top 33 NHL players have been elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame, but none of them, including Thornton, Jaromir Jagr, Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, are in.
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