Now seven years into what has become a career -- and an era -- noted for postseason disappointments here in the Hub of Hockey, Thornton is a Group 2 free agent, yet to come to terms on a deal to remain with the Bruins.
According to a longtime agent, speaking on the condition of anonymity, Thornton in recent days told a former Boston teammate that he wants out of here because: 1. The Bruins, in keeping with their club policy this summer, thus far have opted not to offer Thornton anything more than the one-year, $5.5 million qualifying offer they tendered him at the end of last month; and 2. The Bruins thus far have stood virtually comatose on the sideline, losing a host of free agents, which yesterday included Brian Rolston hooking on with the Minnesota Wild.
"Joe went looking for a new deal with the Bruins after July 1," said the source. "And the front office told him that they're going to wait and see what happens over the summer -- they're not interested in doing deals right now. That's when Joe told [his ex-teammate], `That's it, I'm outta here.' "
A source with ties to the Boston front office last night confirmed that Thornton's agent recently asked for a new long-term contract, but general manager Mike O'Connell, once more sighting the unknown course of CBA negotiations, dismissed the offer out of hand and evinced no interest in making a counteroffer.
The Bruins in recent days have refuted a weekend New York Post story, penned by veteran hockey columnist Larry Brooks, that said Thornton requested to be traded. O'Connell, in comments to the Globe and other media outlets, said he never heard that from Thornton or his agent, J.P. Barry, and he further said that he called Brooks to refute the story.
All we can do here is read the tea leaves, but right now they are beginning to hint that Thornton, who in years past could reasonably expect a salary bump to upward of $8 million a year, is angling for at least a holdout.
If Thornton so chooses, he has until Thursday to file for salary arbitration -- a process that would fix his salary for one or two years (team's choice). But that scenario seems highly unlikely, if he's telling an ex-teammate he wants out, and now that he has an escape hatch awaiting him in Europe.
