Hobbled Joe Thornton Remains Elite for the San Jose Sharks

Joe Thornton has had a bounce back first half for the San Jose Sharks after a rough start to his 21st season in the NHL. On almost a nightly basis Jumbo is passing a hockey legend on the all time assists or points lists.

Thornton is an absolute pro. He’s been struggling with injures this entire season yet he still continues produce at an elite level. Since December 1st, Jumbo has been clicking offensively which is part of the reason the San Jose Sharks have played so well of late.

During the second game of the season for the San Jose Sharks, Joe Thornton aggravated his knee injury and was later sidelined for 9 games. Recently we learned from coach Pete DeBoer via The Athletics Kevin Kurz that Jumbo has also been suffering from an ankle infection and a broken toe earlier this season.

Over the past 2 months Joe Thornton has appeared in 26 games compiling 17 points over that span. He’s potted 7 goals and handed out 10 assists, while averaging about 15 and half minutes of ice. He continues to take goalies by surprise with his deceptive shot, averaging a 17% shooting percentage over the past 2 seasons.

It’s hard to argue against the idea that Thornton’s presence on the ice has helped steady the rest of the San Jose Sharks. They’ve played some really good hockey over that span of 2 months with a record of 17 – 7 – 2 . All the while registering the 4th best point percentage overall per naturalstattrick.

17 points doesn’t jump out at you when you glance at the stat sheet, however his underlying numbers illustrate that Jumbo’s still vintage Joe Thornton. Don’t let the gray hair fool you, he’s still able to elevate the play of his line mates.

He carries the best xGF% on the San Jose Sharks at 62.54%, this stat suggests that the Sharks are scoring a bulk of their goals with Jumbo on the ice.  They also dominate possession with Joe Thornton out there; he leads the team with a 10.21 Rel CF%, per Corsica.Hockey.

Another stat that’s evidence of Joe Thornton’s importance is his 62.50 HDCF%, stat per naturalstattrick. He leads the San Jose Sharks in this stat as well and it exhibits Thornton’s ability to get the puck into the dangerous areas of the ice. Whether that be with possession or shooting the puck into small windows where his teammates can make plays. Jumbo’s body might be slowing down, but he’s still seeing the game at top speed.

Perhaps the teammate who’s benefited the most from Jumbo’s stellar play this season, is 26-year-old Marcus Sorensen. The Swedish skater is on pace for a career year, compiling 17 points so far, with 16 of them being considered primary.

Regardless of who gets stuck on their right side Jumbo and Sorensen produce offense. They have done very well controlling possession and generating scoring chances in their limited time together. The discovery of this duo has allowed the San Jose Sharks to extend their depth and help them roll multiple threatening scoring lines.

Even with the multiple injuries ailing the 39-year-old the underlying numbers convey that Joe Thornton’s abilities in the offensive zone are still extremely valuable. Hopefully he’s been able recharge a bit over this extended All Star break and can come out even more dangerous in the second half of the 2018 – 2019 campaign.