Surprising Details on Joe Thornton Leaving the Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs loved having Joe Thornton on their team, but they sure had a funny way of showing it. The veteran and future hall of famer signed a one year deal with the Leafs last offseason, and while he was a hit with the players, his play on the ice disappointed management. So much so, they didn't even inform Joe he wouldn't be welcomed back.

Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun had this to say about the matter:

Thornton is the sixth Leaf to leave since the playoff disappointment versus Montreal. Gone from last season: Zach Hyman, Thornton, Nick Foligno, Frederik Andersen, Zach Bogosian and Alex Galchenyuk, who has yet to catch on anywhere in free agency. The Leafs never informed Thornton they had any intention of bringing him back …

While it's not necessarily the case every single time a player's contract is up, normally someone with a resume like Thornton would at least get the courtesy thanks but no thanks. Looks like Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas cares about his players, more specifically the ones he intends to re-sign.

Thornton has since signed a one-year league minimum deal with the Florida Panthers as he continues his pursuit of a Stanley Cup.