Rumor: Soon-to-be free agent Joe Thornton has some big contract demands.

We have some very interesting reports coming out of San Jose.

One of hockey's top insiders, ESPN's Pierre LeBrun, is now reporting that veteran forward Joe Thornton is looking for three years on a new contract to re-sign with the San Jose Sharks. LeBrun also reports that the Sharks on the other hand would prefer to look at a one-year deal.

It's understandable to see why the Sharks would hesitate to give Thornton another multi-year deal, he will be 38 years of age, already relatively old for an NHL hockey player. Despite that Thornton continues to be an effective point producer with 2 goals and 23 assists in 38 games and would definitely have no trouble finding a team to take a chance on him outside of San Jose.

To make things even more interesting, TSN insider Darren Dreger has corroborated that report and added that the discussion between the two sides has been very quiet thus far. It would certainly be interesting to see where a free agent Joe Thornton landed.

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