Ryan Wilson: Joe Thornton and the Pittsburgh Penguins Joe Thornton and the Pittsburgh Penguins

Make it happen GMJR!

Been throwing out Jumbo's name for months now. Do itttttt.

Been throwing out Jumbo's name for months now. Do itttttt.
- j.boyd919

Just imagine...I mean, I'm not holding my breath on this or anything...but just imagine he was 3C..hahah insane.

Jumbo recently came out and said he would like to play a few more years. I think this is a bargaining ploy to get a 3 year contact with an NMC out of someone.
He isn't going anywhere on a 1 year deal.
But that PP would be crazy... IMO, not many better, ever.

Thrornton + Kessel would make anyone nervous.

Crosby has too much scoring skill to be put with a sniper like Kessel..... Thornton is not a shooter/scorer (although he should do it much more). His passing game would compliment Kessel to a huge degree.

I think Joe Thornton would be a great addition, based on how RW has him slotted in.

Also, even as I agree 100% with RW's previous disinterest in GMJR's expressed need to 'get tougher' for next season, doesn't it make you wonder if Dion Phaneuf has the Pens on his list of 12, and maybe he would fit the bill for GMJR's needs.

Paneuf... Thornton... wowza ! A dominant powerplay for sure, AND somebody to pummel the likes of Dubinsky and Wilson in the metro.

Jumbo recently came out and said he would like to play a few more years. I think this is a bargaining ploy to get a 3 year contact with an NMC out of someone.
He isn't going anywhere on a 1 year deal.
But that PP would be crazy... IMO, not many better, ever.
- flipneil

Yeah, I cant see him only taking a one year at this point. Probably looking at it as his final contract...probably will want 3 years, 2 at a minimum.

So the questions now is...would you sign him for 3 years if the price was lower? Say 3 years for 4.0/4.5...Im a little iffy on it

I'm not against this at all if Joe would actually leave SJ, but 2 areas of concern

1.) Recent double knee surgery
2.) Not debating he can still play at age 38 but I'd prefer younger, fresher legs infused into our lineup

Yeah, I cant see him only taking a one year at this point. Probably looking at it as his final contract...probably will want 3 years, 2 at a minimum.

So the questions now is...would you sign him for 3 years if the price was lower? Say 3 years for 4.0/4.5...Im a little iffy on it
- MattStrat

Too long IMO. As Gunner said in the article, a one year deal leaves the Pens with options going into next season. I wouldn't want to get tied to him for longer than that.

I'm not against this at all if Joe would actually leave SJ, but 2 areas of concern

1.) Recent double knee surgery
2.) Not debating he can still play at age 38 but I'd prefer younger, fresher legs infused into our lineup
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Cause age matters.

Been throwing out Jumbo's name for months now. Do itttttt.
- j.boyd919

Bonino is better

I'm not against this at all if Joe would actually leave SJ, but 2 areas of concern

1.) Recent double knee surgery
2.) Not debating he can still play at age 38 but I'd prefer younger, fresher legs infused into our lineup
- YouMeAndDupuis9

1. Thornton's game never relied on skating.
2. It's Joe (frank)ing Thornton man.

Yeah, I cant see him only taking a one year at this point. Probably looking at it as his final contract...probably will want 3 years, 2 at a minimum.

So the questions now is...would you sign him for 3 years if the price was lower? Say 3 years for 4.0/4.5...Im a little iffy on it
- MattStrat

In short no. I'd love to get him on 1 or 2 year bargain 2m per, but he has to decide if that's worth it for him trying to win against ALL the odds now we went back to back. Especially as it appears we used every ounce of luck we had/have to win it!!

Simple calculations for me, where does he think his best chance to win is? Does he really want to win it (if he can), in a Sharks uniform? Does he need $, or happy to sacrifice to try & win?

I asked this a while back, but do the Sharks want him back? If they do I doubt he leaves.

Too long IMO. As Gunner said in the article, a one year deal leaves the Pens with options going into next season. I wouldn't want to get tied to him for longer than that.
- j.boyd919

Agree. If he took a 1 year deal and played well and wants to come back, he can do the Jagr/Cullen thing and sign another one year deal.

I'd maybe consider 2 years if he would take $4.5M or something.

For the older players, they'll all need to have speed, speed, speed, on their lines. Can't put anyone else slow with Jumbo Joe. Phil is a good option. Hagelin? HJK line?

I know Joe can get alot more elsewhere, but if he's looking for a Cup, I bet we can get him for under $5. Not much, but $4 doesn't sound crazy for 1 year. Cullen gets $1 million. He's no Jumbo Joe but that's a GOOD discount.

Agree. If he took a 1 year deal and played well and wants to come back, he can do the Jagr/Cullen thing and sign another one year deal.

I'd maybe consider 2 years if he would take $4.5M or something.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

That would be my ideal scenario.

For the older players, they'll all need to have speed, speed, speed, on their lines. Can't put anyone else slow with Jumbo Joe. Phil is a good option. Hagelin? HJK line?

I know Joe can get alot more elsewhere, but if he's looking for a Cup, I bet we can get him for under $5. Not much, but $4 doesn't sound crazy for 1 year. Cullen gets $1 million. He's no Jumbo Joe but that's a GOOD discount.
- coohill

The whole speed thing is so overrated and misused.

Yes, the Pens have some fast guys.

No, you don't HAVE to have fast foot speed to excel in a Pens uniform. If you can THINK the game at a high speed, you'll fit in the Pens system like a glove. It's less about foot speed and more about fast, good decisions.

The whole speed thing is so overrated and misused.

Yes, the Pens have some fast guys.

No, you don't HAVE to have fast foot speed to excel in a Pens uniform. If you can THINK the game at a high speed, you'll fit in the Pens system like a glove. It's less about foot speed and more about fast, good decisions.
- j.boyd919

I agree to a degree because no skater in the world is faster than well placed hard pass (or shot)....but the foot speed for the Pens is crucial for getting in the zone or getting the pucks down low. Also their transition game.

Honestly, I think Jumbo Joe is faster than Bonino, especially at top speed. He has giant strides kind of like Jordan Staal.

Is it wromg that one of my first thoughts out of that article was if first line player scores 2 pys/60 how did Wilsin end up almost getting there at 1.91 while in a bottom 6 role? Underrated season.

I agree to a degree because no skater in the world is faster than well placed hard pass (or shot)....but the foot speed for the Pens is crucial for getting in the zone or getting the pucks down low. Also their transition game.

Honestly, I think Jumbo Joe is faster than Bonino, especially at top speed. He has giant strides kind of like Jordan Staal.
- MattStrat

Thornton is an elite player still. Controls the game and plays at the pace he wants. It wouldn't be fair if he was the Pens 3C.

Is it wromg that one of my first thoughts out of that article was if first line player scores 2 pys/60 how did Wilsin end up almost getting there at 1.91 while in a bottom 6 role? Underrated season.
- Tojo.

I've always liked the cut of the kids gib. If he didn't F up his ankle in 2016 and miss so much time he would of been even better this year. He reminds me of a young Kunitz and I wouldn't be surprised to see his usage and numbers rise next season.

Thornton is an elite player still. Controls the game and plays at the pace he wants. It wouldn't be fair if he was the Pens 3C.
- Feds91Stammer

I know, feels like a pipe dream...probably is...

I agree to a degree because no skater in the world is faster than well placed hard pass (or shot)....but the foot speed for the Pens is crucial for getting in the zone or getting the pucks down low. Also their transition game.

Honestly, I think Jumbo Joe is faster than Bonino, especially at top speed. He has giant strides kind of like Jordan Staal.
- MattStrat

^^This. Bonino wasn't fast either. Get some speed on Thornton's wing. I like Kessel there, don't think he and Malkin were dominant together. Get Hags or Rust on the other side. Maybe Wilson. Hornqvist goes with Malkin.

But yes, the plan should be get a good center that can play with Kessel and role 3 scoring lines. We have the wing depth to make this happen.

hopefully jim rutherford and joe thorton read this blog.

someone make it happen please.