Boston Bruins: Headed for a date with ‘Jumbo’ Joe Thornton?

Is it destiny that in a season where the Boston Bruins weren’t expected to get past the second round at best, they’re pushing forward on course to possibly face ‘Jumbo’ Joe Thornton and his San Jose Sharks?

‘Jumbo’ Joe Thornton, as many of you will of course recall (some of you might not remember it!), was drafted by the Boston Bruins way back when, with the first overall pick of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.

He went on to play seven seasons in Boston Bruins colours, three of them serving as our captain, before departing for the San Jose Sharks partway through the 2005-06 season. Since arriving on the West Coast, he has always held leadership roles continuing to offer that vital locker-room presence that you need.

If, and of course it’s all hypothetical, the Bruins were to make the Stanley Cup Final and were to end the series on the losing side of the ice; I’m sure there are players we’d much less want to see at the opposite end of the ice receiving the Stanley Cup.

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Of course, I don’t want to jinx anything, I don’t want to tempt fate or anything else; however, seeing ‘Jumbo’ Joe Thornton finally get his hands on that piece of silverware would at least make up a tiny iota of the pain of losing, in that scenario.

The better scenario is the obvious – the Boston Bruins win the Stanley Cup, not really having a care in the world as to who is at the opposite end of the ice, plain and simple.

However, I always look at these situations and look for the little sliver of light if the results weren’t to go the right way – Joe Thornton, for all of his years and efforts in Boston Bruins colors deserves to etch his name on that trophy once before he eventually retires.

Maybe he only gets that chance if come free agency, he signs on with the Boston Bruins for a farewell year; maybe, just maybe, he’s that Ray Bourque type figure that everyone in the Boston locker-room turns to next season and rallies around to ensure they retire on the highest of highs.

Who knows really?

All I know is that right now the Boston Bruins look a near definite chance now at making the Eastern Conference final and a showdown with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Equally, the San Jose Sharks seem to be in prime position to make it to the Western Conference final as they face-off with the Colorado Avalanche with a chance to seal that series. The stars are aligning.

Will we see ‘Jumbo’ Joe Thornton in a Stanley Cup Final game or two at TD Garden? Only time will tell.