Report: Thornton looking for a contract overseas?

It looks as if San Jose Sharks star Joe Thornton will hit the open market. Despite ongoing negotiations with his parent club, it doesn’t appear that a new deal is imminent with the Sharks and he’ll likely receive offers from across NHL on July 1st. One NHL insider however, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, suggests the possibility that Thornton leaves the league entirely! 

In his latest 30 Thoughts article for Sportsnet, Friedman warns to not be surprised if Thornton seeks out options in Europe:

Do not be surprised, either, if Thornton brings up the possibility of Switzerland. His wife’s from there and he’s said he will play in that country before his career is over.

What!? He wouldn’t actually sign in Switzerland, would he? Maybe he uses an offer as a negotiation tool with the Sharks or another interested party, but we’d be hard pressed to believe that a player with Thornton’s ability and skill set would leave the NHL entirely. On the other hand, stranger things have happened. Jaromir Jagr did leave the NHL for the KHL just one season removed from winning the Art Ross Trophy, so there is precedent. We just can’t imagine it happening with Jumbo Joe.