Huh.  It could actually work, maybe - both players have incurred fan wrath for floating, despite incredible levels of skill.  They could play the “fresh start / change of scenery” angle in both cases.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/02/09 at 05:48 PM ET

Not commenting on anything else, but this at least needs some clarification. Comparing Spezza, allegedly at $8 million for the next four seasons, and Thornton, at $7.2 million for the next two seasons, is not being clear.

Thornton has two years left on his deal, which pays (and more importantly has a cap hit of) $7.2 million, at which point he will be a UFA.

Spezza does have four more years that pay him $8 million. But he has a pair of years at $5 million and then $4 million to end his seven year deal, which began this past season, also paying him $8 million. This gives him a cap hit of $7 million for the next six years.

Thornton actually causes a worse cap situation for the next two years, though after those two years Spezza will still have four more years on the books, whereas Thornton will be seeking a new deal.

Posted by SENShobo from Waterloo, ON on 05/02/09 at 05:53 PM ET

If Thornton can’t step up in the relative hockey margins of San Jose, then how would he survive in a Canadian city like Ottawa. The change would probably help Spezza regain his confidence without so much pressure, but would still be counted on to deliver in ways that he is simply not ready to do at this age.

If the Sharks really want to build a perennial contender they will keep the heart of the team in tact and build from there.

Posted by Osrt on 05/02/09 at 06:16 PM ET

1. I don’t think Spezza will ever be as good as Thornton is now, but that alone isn’t enough to mean this trade couldn’t happen.
2. If Dany Heatley plays on the same line as Thornton, I’d make a bet that he wins the Rocket Richard trophy over Ovechkin.

Posted by Ryan from Toronto on 05/02/09 at 06:38 PM ET

2. If Dany Heatley plays on the same line as Thornton, I’d make a bet that he wins the Rocket Richard trophy over Ovechkin.

Heatley or Thornton? I thought Heatley was more of a shooter - I know Thornton is more of a passer.

There would be more pressure on Thornton in Canada, sure, but maybe the initial “potential honeymoon” would last for a couple years and then his contract would be up so he could go to Florida or Los Angeles or somewhere.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/02/09 at 08:31 PM ET

I’m not sure Joe would get much of a “honeymoon” if he went to a Canadian team.  If anything, the pressure would be instantly doubled and the first time he didn’t convert an easy goal he would be getting booed relentlessly.

I don’t think Joe could survive in a Canadian market…

Posted by Garth on 05/02/09 at 08:36 PM ET

I didn’t know KK had become the HockeysFuture Retarded Trade Ideas Forum…

Posted by Primis on 05/02/09 at 11:06 PM ET

I didn’t know KK had become the HockeysFuture Retarded Trade Ideas Forum…

Posted by Primis on 05/03/09 at 12:06 AM ET

Who said it has?

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 05/03/09 at 07:03 AM ET

We wrote about this a long time ago. I think you can look even beyond the cap hit: points, age, playoffs etc. Bottom line, Spezz is a better value both now and in the future.

Posted by Tambland on 06/02/09 at 08:43 AM ET