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Thornton may waive NMC if ‘fans didn’t want him’ in San Jose

Los Angeles Kings v San Jose Sharks - Game Seven

SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 30: Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks during a break in play against the Los Angeles Kings in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 30, 2014 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky Widner/Getty Images)

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From the San Jose Mercury News:

Here’s the latest word from the Joe Thornton camp:

One thing might get the Sharks captain to reconsider his stated intent to remain in San Jose despite suggestions from management that it may be time to move on, according to his brother and agent, John Thornton.

“If he felt the fans didn’t want him in San Jose, he might re-think things,” John Thornton said when asked if his brother would want to play where it was apparent he was not wanted.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the teams reportedly interested in acquiring Thornton, but clearly his first choice is to stay in San Jose, where the 34-year-old is signed through 2016-17 for a cap hit of $6.75 million -- a contract (with a no-movement clause) that general manager Doug Wilson said at the time is was signed “fit with our team building philosophy.” Translation: Thornton took a hometown discount to get it done.