Joe Thornton joins Swiss club HC Davos, plans to return to NHL

Future Hall of Famer Joe Thornton joined the Swiss National League’s HC Davos, but the doors did not close when the NHL returned.

Thornton will return to North America after the start of the 2020-21 NHL season, according to a statement from Davos, which was translated from German via SportsNet using Google Translate.

“Due to the current tense financial situation at Hockey Club Davos, Joe Thornton has agreed that any modest compensation can only be made next season,” the statement said.

Thornton, who holds a Swiss passport, has been training with Davos since July. He has played for the club in the last two NHL lockouts and has 22 goals and 90 points in 73 career National League games.

“It is a great honor for Joe to appear for HCD for the third time in his incredible career,” Davos coach Rito Rafiner said in a translation statement. “And what I saw in training from him was that he could help our team athletically. His kick-off, his puck control and his pass quality are still at a very high level. It will be a great pleasure for all hockey fans to see him play in Swiss snow again.”

The 41-year-old is currently an unrestricted free agent in the NHL. It is possible he will return to the San Jose Sharks, where he has played for the past 15 years, and Toronto Maple Leafs are also interested in including St. Thomas, Ont., Sports net ‘Elliott Friedman reports.

“Joe Thornton went to Toronto personally when he heard of many core maple leaves. The courtship is ongoing and the interest is real,” Friedman wrote in his latest book. 31 ideas blog. “But one thing I’ve always been told about the Future Hall of Fame: Don’t underestimate his loyalty to San Jose.”