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Tensions rise in San Jose as Thornton says Wilson ‘needs to shut his mouth’ (Update: Wilson responds)

Joe Thornton

San Jose Sharks’ Joe Thornton watches the clock during the final few seconds of Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Western Conference finals, Wednesday, May 18, 2011, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Vancouver won 7-3. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jonathan Hayward)

AP

Earlier today, we passed along what Sharks GM Doug Wilson told season-ticket holders about the organization’s decision to take away Joe Thornton’s captaincy, explaining that the “pressure and stress” of wearing the “C” caused Thornton to lash out at people.

Now, Jumbo has replied:

Simmering issues boiling over in SJ. #SJSharks Thornton on latest from GM Wilson on taking away the ‘C': “Doug needs to shut his mouth.”

— David Pollak (@PollakOnSharks) March 13, 2015


More coming later.

— David Pollak (@PollakOnSharks) March 13, 2015


Update: Full Thornton quote, from Pollak...

“I think Doug just needs to shut his mouth. I think that’s the bottom line. All I’ve got to say is I’ve been here every day working hard. I haven’t taken a sabbatical. He just needs to stop lying, shut his mouth.”

None of this sounds very good, or promising for a Sharks team that’s actually played well lately (winning four of its last five) despite an inconsistent season, which has them in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in 12 years.

Update: Wilson’s response, per CSN Bay Area...

“If [Thornton’s] got an issue, he knows exactly where I am, and I’ll be glad to talk to him about it. There’s zero issue here. I was asked a question at a season ticket holder function, and my response was to do my job and be accountable to our season ticket holders and tell the truth.

“It’s nothing I haven’t said before.”