Joe Thornton addresses potential end of his Hall of Fame career

He currently stands 12th all-time in National Hockey League history with 1,539 points in an astounding 1,714 games over 24 seasons — good for sixth most in regular-season history. But is he at the end of the road? 

Veteran forward Joe Thornton, who just wrapped up his 24th career NHL campaign and 1st with the Florida Panthers after being swept in disappointing fashion by the Tampa Bay Lightning, addressed his future earlier this week, saying he hasn't decided whether or not he'll ride off into the sunset or return for year No. 25. 

"My wife was kind of asking me last night,” Thornton said. “And really, I have no plans. It’s kind of exciting that way. I came here to win a championship and we fell short of that. But I think the Florida Panthers are going to be good for a long time. It’s exciting around here now.”

“I’ve been privileged to play this game for a long time,” Thornton said. “I don’t take anything for granted.”

Of course, Thornton has played for two teams in the past two years that be believed would give him the best chance at the one thing he's yet to win over the course of his Hall of Fame career in the Stanley Cup. 

After spending the first 7 1/2 years of his career with the Boston Bruins, by whom he was drafted, he would spend the next 15 years playing with the San Jose Sharks. He'd later sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs for the 2020-21 season before deciding on the Panthers last year. He would skate in 34 games with Florida this season, scoring five goals and adding five assists. He also suited up in one postseason game, the deciding Game 4 against Tampa Bay.

“I never think ‘what-ifs,' to be honest with you," Thornton said. “I just try to live in the moment and go from there."