Thornton not planning to retire: 'I have years to go'

The coronavirus-induced NHL postponement won't mark the end of Joe Thornton's storied career.

"I have years to go," Thornton told TSN's Pierre LeBrun via text when asked about playing next season.

The Sharks are last in the Western Conference in both points and points percentage, so if the season resumes without non-playoff teams, even some type of extended playoff format would likely exclude San Jose. Of course, there's still a chance the remainder of the regular season is played.

Jumbo Joe registered seven goals and 31 points in 70 games this season. The 40-year-old was disappointed he wasn't moved to a contender at the deadline. "I wanted a shot, you know?" he said in February. "Believe it or not. I've been hunting this thing down for 22 years, so I wanted another shot at it."

Thornton is 14th on the NHL's all-time points list with 1,509 - the second-most of any player without a Stanley Cup ring. He's scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

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