Thornton could return to Sharks during playoffs

Joe Thornton, recovering from a knee injury, has not ruled out a return with the San Jose Sharks this season in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The 38-year-old center had surgery to repair the medial collateral ligament in his right knee Jan. 25, two days after he was injured during a 5-4 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets.

"Who knows? If I'm better mid-April or mid-May, I'm not sure yet," Thornton said Friday after he skated, according to The Athletic. "I can't say. I'd like to contribute and to play if I can.
"I've been just kind of fooling around on the ice for I'd say about 10 days now. Probably full equipment for four or five sessions just by myself. ... It's feeling really strong, but I'm sure as every week goes on it will get more intense, but so far so good."

The Sharks, on a season-long six-game winning streak, are in second place in the Pacific Division, seven points behind the Vegas Golden Knights and four points ahead of the Anaheim Ducks.
San Jose's next game is against the Calgary Flames at SAP Center on Saturday (4 p.m. ET; NBCSCA, SNW, NHL.TV).
Thornton had 36 points (13 goals, 23 assists) in 47 games this season. He had offseason surgery on the MCL and ACL in his left knee after being injured April 2. He missed the first two games of the Western Conference First Round against the Edmonton Oilers and then returned for Games 3 through 6; the Sharks lost in six games.
"I knew what I was ahead for," Thornton told The Mercury News. "I'm really confident in my other leg, it's stronger than ever before. ... It's starting to feel normal again, which is a good sign. I still have a lot of work to do, but I'm confident I will come back healthy."
Thornton, in his 20th NHL season, ranks 16th all-time with 1,427 points (397 goals, 1,030 assists) in 1,493 games with the Sharks and Boston Bruins. He's 12th in assists, three behind Mario Lemieux.