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The latest TSN (think of it as ESPN Canada) NHL Top 50 is out, and like every list, it is largely tailored to its audience. And the Sharks audience isnt theirs.
In short, Joe Thornton is listed as the 29th best player in the league, and of course Sharks fans are unhappy, and citing everything from global warning to East Coast Bias to Northlands Bias for low-balling him.
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SIGN UP HERE Well, two things. One, its a list, which means subjective and even pointless analysis. And two, even at that, there really are only three or four players above him that dont belong there.
Well give you the notion that Tim Thomas is probably overvalued at 14, and Martin St. Louis at 9 and Patrick Kane at 24 are beneficiaries of their linemates. Well even listen to your objections about Anze Kopitar at 21 because he hasnt broken out yet, and unlike the other three hasnt come close to a Stanley Cup.
But even with the most generous interpretation, that puts Thornton in the middle 20s, which isnt that much different than 29. And therefore, Hes not 29, hes 25 isnt going to generate a beers worth of argument.
Thornton has changed his game, and he has become the dominant figure in a locker room that didnt always go to him first. He has even won over his critics who thought he came up small when the games got big by the way he ground out three difficult series this past spring.
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But the list isnt his problem. Leading this Sharks team to Round 4, and then to Round 5 -- taking the Cup all over hell and back next summer -- thats his problem.
Then next year, he can bump his way up to 22.
Ray Ratto is a columnist for CSNBayArea.com.