Shawn Thornton is one of the few enforcers who it is safe to say is part of the core group of his team. He sticks up for his team by fighting when necessary and marching into scrums around his net and simply chucking bodies around like potato sacks. But as many NHL fans know, those attributes come easy to most big players and so, straight up enforcers often turn into journey men moving around the league and signing with whatever team needs a physical boost ahead of an impending season.
But Shawn Thornton's holster of frozen bite extends beyond that. Unlike straight up enforcers like John Scott who often log less than 5 minutes of ice time per game, Shawn Thornton often plays twice as long as that, spending his time anchoring perhaps the best 4th line in hockey. Thornton's physicality is used not only to fight but to win possession battles especially in fore-checking situations in the offensive corners. As a result of his physical presence in the offensive zone, the 4th line often gave Boston huge momentum boosts with large stretches of time spent in the opponent's end and from time to time, timely goals.
However, from now on the Bruins will have to do without the spectacular services of their coveted tough guy. After perhaps the toughest season of his career, Thornton may have upset his club by crossing the line that separates a tough player and a dirty player. After straight up beating Broks Orpik while he was down and serving a 15 game ban as a result of it, Thornton struggled to find his stride in the second half of the season and incurred another incident of supplementary discipline in the playoffs when he was fined $2,820 for spraying PK Subban with a water bottle in the final moments of a game.
To say that Shawn Thornton lost his way in 2013-2014 might be a bit of an overreaction. But none the less, as the Bruins looked at their team this off season, they recognized that their team now has more players who can stand up for themselves and do not need Shawn Thornton to be their body guard. Simply speaking, what makes Thornton great is the combination of his fighting and his 4th line work. When his fighting is not needed, his 4th line work does not look nearly as great.
All of that was seen Monday morning in Boston when GM Peter Charelli made the announcement that the Shawn Thornton era in Boston would not be extending past the 7 season period that it had already accumulated.
Today I met with Shawn. We had a good meeting, and I informed him that we wouldn’t be re-signing him,” Chiarelli said in a video released on the Bruins website. “It was good in the sense that we talked about the time Shawn has spent here.I told him that he was one of the most significant acquisitions that we made — one, for the role that he played, and two, for the person that he is. It was nice to rehash his time. It was sad to tell him he wasn’t coming back.”
"It was seven amazing years," Thornton said. "I've been asked for my favorite memory and I don't know because the whole thing has been an amazing experience. To do my job in this city for seven years has been incredible. Unfortunately, it's time to move on but it's part of the business. The Bruins have been nothing but first class treating me unbelievable and I'm very thankful for the opportunity."
Shawn also recognized the special role he had with Boston. He wished he could stay in Beantown but understood the need to move on.
"People had asked me for the last month and I said I thought it would be a coin flip," Thornton said. "So surprised? No. Either way, mentally, I knew a decision was coming. We'll see what the interest is and hopefully there's a lot. It's tough to leave but I'm excited for what comes next."
After what we saw of Shawn in Boston, the 36 year old definitely has a few years left in him. Some teams that would be favorable destinations for Thornton include the team of former teammate Tyler Seguin, the Stars. With bruiser Aaron Rome possible departing this summer, the Dallas team could benefit from the depth and punch that Thornton could bring them. Additionally, Thornton would do well in the very young, small team fielded by Edmonton where a whole host of 3rd and 4th year players lack much physicality nor any fighting skill whatsoever.
After 7 years of drama, grit and fighting glory, the Bruins severed ties with Shawn Thornton today. He will be missed, but with quite a bit more money to play with now, the team could add pieces for the upcoming season.
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