Joe Thornton.

[Kristos Is God]

Boston Bruins captain Joe Thornton has signed to play for H.C. Davos of the Swiss Elite league next season, but that doesn't necessarily mean the all-star forward is headed to Europe.

Terms of the contract were not released.

Thornton, a restricted free agent, can opt out of the European contract if the NHL resumes next season and also if he can agree to terms with an NHL club, his agent J.P. Barry said in an interview.

That club would probably be Boston, given the limited movement of restricted free agents.

"We're very happy for Joe," Barry said in the statement. "As we are all aware, there may not be NHL hockey next season and this agreement will allow Joe to play hockey at the highest level in a unique environment that he may not otherwise have experienced."

"I'm very excited about the opportunity to play with Davos," Thornton added in the statement.

The Bruins made a qualifying offer to Thornton before he became a restricted free agent on July 1 to retain his NHL rights.

However, a report last week said the London, Ont., native was unhappy with the exodus of unrestricted free agents from the Bruins and had asked for a trade.

Earlier Thursday, centre Brian Rolston left Boston to sign with the Minnesota Wild. Thornton's linemate Mike Knuble has already jumped to Philadelphia and defenceman Sean O'Donnell signed with Phoenix.

The Bruins' other unrestricted free agents - Glen Murray, Michael Nylander, Travis Green and Dan McGillis - may follow.

Thornton, a three-time all-star, led Boston last season with 23 goals and 50 assists in 77 games. He was also named to Canada's team for the 2004 World Cup of hockey.

He struggled in the post-season with a severe rib injury as Boston was upset by Montreal in the first round.

Davos is one of Switzerland's top clubs. It is known for playing host to the annual Spengler Cup tournament in December.

Thornton will likely not be the only NHL player to sign in Europe as Sergei Gonchar, also a restricted free agent with the Bruins, is believed to be speaking to a Russian league team.

Edmonton Oilers forward Mike York recently signed with a German league team.

Source = http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentSe...&tacodalogin=no

Odd...very odd indeed.

[Mike Ockizitchy]

Damn. Joey Thornt's one of my favorite players. Good luck to him though, hope there's no need for him to have to go there next year though.

[Lowerdeck]

It's pretty obvious there's going to be a long lockout if a bunch of players are getting backup deals in Europe.

And perhaps he should stay in Europe cause the owner of the Bruins is a fucking moron and can't remember whether winning or losing is the right thing to do.

[sahyder1]

What happened to the NHL offseason theread? I guess someone should rename this one that.

Recchi agrees to terms with Penguins

TSN.ca Staff

7/9/2004

Mark Recchi is looking to finish his career where it started. The Pittsburgh Penguins, who drafted Recchi in 1988, have agreed to terms with free agent right winger on a multi-year contract, it was announced today by General Manager Craig Patrick.  In accordance with club policy terms of the contract were not released.

Recchi, 36, a 16-year NHL veteran, led the Philadelphia Flyers in goals, assists and points during the 2003-04 season, recording 75 points on 26 goals and 49 assists while playing in all 82 games.  He has scored 20 or more goals in each of the last five seasons and in eight of the last nine seasons, and has scored 25 or more goals in a season 11 times in his career.

Recchi ranks in the top ten in Flyers' history in goals (tied 10th), assists (6th) and points (8th).

A veteran of 1,173 career games, Recchi has recorded 456 goals and 745 assists for 1,201 points with the Penguins, Flyers and Montreal Canadiens. And he's durable - his consecutive regular season games played streak of 570 (10/4/91-12/11/98) is the eighth longest streak in NHL history.

A seven-time NHL All-Star, Recchi began his career with the Penguins, playing in 225 games from 1988-1992, recording 252 points.  He led the Penguins in scoring during the 1990-91 regular season, recording 40 goals and 113 points in 78 games.  In 24 playoff games that year, Recchi recorded 34 points, helping the Penguins to their first Stanley Cup Championship.

Recchi was traded by the Penguins to Philadelphia on February 19, 1992 with Brian Benning and a first round draft choice in exchange for Rick Tocchet, Kjell Samuelsson and Ken Wregget.  He played in parts of four seasons with the Flyers (1992-1995), setting career highs in goals (53) and points (123) during the 1992-93 season.  After a 40-goal season in 1993-94, Recchi was traded by Philadelphia to Montreal on February 9, 1995 with a third round draft choice in exchange for John LeClair, Eric Desjardins and Gilbert Dionne.

In parts of five seasons with the Canadiens (1995-1999), Recchi eclipsed the 25-goal mark three times.  He was traded back to Philadelphia on March 10, 1999 in exchange for Dainius Zubrus, a second round draft choice and a sixth round draft choice.

In five-plus seasons with the Flyers (1999-2004), Recchi scored 20 or more goals in a season five times and played in 79 or more games four times in five seasons.

The 5-10 and 190 pound native of Kamloops, British Columbia was drafted by the Penguins in the fourth round (67th overall) of the 1988 Entry Draft.

[Mike Ockizitchy]

Good pick up for the Pens. Should add some veteran leadership to the team too along with Mario.

[reyrey619]

as for the Thorton thing, it shows that most likely there won't be any NHL next season. If there is, Thotnton can always back out of his contract with the Sweedish league and play for the NHL.

[sahyder1]

Russian Elite League seeking Theodore

TSN.ca Staff with files

7/9/2004

Joe Thornton isn't the only player who could be preparing for life without NHL hockey.

TSN's sister station in Quebec RDS reports that Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jose Theodore has received offers from teams to play next season in Russia's Elite League, with one team offering as much as $3 million US.

Theodore, a former Hart and Vezina Trophy winner can reportedly opt out of the European deal and return to the Canadiens if the labour situation between the National Hockey League and NHL Players' Association is resolved.

Theodore had 33 wins, a 2.27 average and .919 save percentage in 67 games last season. He is entering the final year of a three-year contract with the Habs that pays him $6 million US in 2004-2005.

The news comes just a day after IMG Hockey announced that they finalized a new contract for Joe Thornton to play with HC Davos of the Swiss Elite League.

Thornton, a Group II restricted free agent can opt out of the Davos contract if the NHL season resumes next year and also if he can agree to terms with an NHL club. 

These little signs aren't pointing towards good news.