Marner and Matthews Pitching Toronto to Joe Thornton

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Joe Thornton have 'mutual' interest in agreeing to a contract for next season, and even though Thornton is busy in Switzerland playing for HC Davos, the Leafs are doing whatever they can for the attention to be on Toronto.

This includes not only their management but the Leafs core players as well, as Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports:

Hearing several core Maple Leafs have personally pitched Joe Thornton on going to Toronto. The courtship is on and the interest is real. But one thing I’ve always been told about the future Hall of Famer: do not underestimate his loyalty to San Jose.

Perhaps a conversation with best-buddy Patrick Marleau could go a long way right now for Thornton and for the Leafs as the team would love Thornton to run their second Power-Play. As Friedman points out, the loyalty with the Sharks is very real, and the team is hoping to bounce-back this year.

Is it good enough for 'Jumbo Joe' is the question. He's trying to make a deep run in the playoffs and chase some elusive hardware.

Sounds like a decision could be made, and soon. Toronto or San Jose, but first - the Swiss.

Photo credit: Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire