[URL="http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/articles/2005/11/30/bruins_trade_thornton_to_san_jose_for_three_players/"]http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/articles/2005/11/30/bruins_trade_thornton_to_san_jose_for_three_players/[/URL]

November 30, 2005 BOSTON --The struggling Boston Bruins traded away captain Joe Thornton to the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday night for three players. The Bruins get forwards Marco Sturm and Wayne Primeau and defenseman Brad Stuart in return for Thornton, who in August signed a three-year, $20 million contract and was once thought to be the future of the franchise. "We felt we needed to shake up the team and sometimes you have to make some difficult decisions to better the team," Bruins general manager Mike O'Connell said in a statement. "We feel we received three players who can help us immediately." The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Thornton had been the key to the Bruins' offense. He scored more than 20 goals in each of his last five NHL seasons, including two with 30 or more. In 2003-04, he led the team in scoring with 23 goals and 50 assists. This season, the 26-year-old Thornton has nine goals and 24 assists for Boston. He was the top overall pick of the 1997 draft. "He is a leader who scores points and makes other players around him better," San Jose general manager Doug Wilson said in a statement on the team's Web site. "To get a player of this caliber, you have to give up something to get something. You would make this trade last month, this month or next year. It follows our philosophy of making our team better for this year and next year." The 8-13-5 Bruins have lost nine of their last 10 games and are in last place in the Northeast Division. Sturm, 27, Primeau, 29, and Stuart, 26, all are former first round draft picks. Sturm has six goals and 10 assists this season, which was second highest for the Sharks, who are in the basement of the Pacific Division. He had a career-high 28 goals in the 2002-03 season. Primeau has five goals and three assists this season. He's never scored more than nine goals in a season. He has 563 career penalty minutes. Stuart has two goals and 10 assists. He finished second in voting for the Calder Trophy as top rookie following the 1999-00 season when he had 10 goals and 26 assists. Sturm, Primeau, and Stuart are expected to play for Boston on Thursday when the Bruins host the Ottawa Senators.

Re: This is why I hate hockey-well boston hockey

ya that was definitely NOT a smart move. i just wish we (the oilers) could have got him...all we need is one more great offensive player, and we could be contenders this year.

Re: This is why I hate hockey-well boston hockey

Boston definetly got the short of the stick in that trade. Wayne Primeau sucks and the other two guys I have never heard of before. Well I guess that is the new NHL. I think as the trade deadline gets closer your going to see a lot of big trades happening. So that some teams that are not going to make the playoffs can re-up next season. Should be an interesting yr.

Re: This is why I hate hockey-well boston hockey

this trade will be better for the team in the long run, trust me. they got 2 quality players and wayne primeau isnt THAT bad. Joe thorton was getting paid quite a bit to only put up 20 goals per season

Re: This is why I hate hockey-well boston hockey

This is a bad deal for Boston but then when you have Harry Sinden running the show why would anyone be surprised. In the current and the long run this is a major coup for the Sharks. Marleau and Thronton on the same team. That is going to be one sick powerplay.

Re: This is why I hate hockey-well boston hockey

Didn't they shut out Ottawa lastnight? And I think Mrco Sturm scored like 70 seconds into the first period. I'd say atleast they won. Ottawa has the best record in hockey this year and they shut down danny Heatley. He had a 22 game scoring streak until then.