Thorny, is the the Winnipeg Jets/Atlanta Thrashers franchise leader in regular-season, all-time games played with 709. He accumulated 49 goals, 72 assists for 121 points.
Obviously, and it has since been confirmed, that Kevin Cheveldayoff (along with numerous other GMs) made a deal with Knights' GM George MacPhee to lay off selecting veteran defenseman Toby Enstrom. There may have been further discussion in the same regards towards Marko Dano and/or Shawn Matthias. The Knights get the Jets first-round pick this season (#13) and about $4 million saved, while the Jets keep Enstrom and slip way down to pick #24 (via a trade made earlier with the Columbus Blue Jackets)
So, look at it this way Jets fans, it's like we made it into the second round of the playoffs (and I would have won a bet) and wound up in 24th spot and we get to keep a veteran defenseman from being plucked from the roster. Who would the Jets have gotten at the 13th pick? The draft class is arguably a little thin this year, and the Jets aren't wanting for fire-power or a top-6 defenseman (maybe a top-4 would be nice) and other than a top-10 goalie (which wouldn't be available at 13) who did the Jets have their eyes on at the position?
So, I say good job Chevy.
The Golden Knights, not surprisingly, took three-time Stanley Cup champion, Marc-Andre Fleury from the Pittsburgh Penguins (I still can't believe that guy was available), James Neal from the Nashville Predators, Calvin Pickard from the Colorado Avalanche (Poor Avs. First they lose the number-one pick and now their best goalie that shouldn't have been available) aaannnd...that's about it. The reason being, as stated, GMs simply couldn't protect every player they wanted to. As a result, not only did the Golden Knights select Fleury from the Penguins, but they also received a 2020 second-round pick for taking the contract off of their hands.
Trades and deals resulting from the expansion Golden Knights holding all the cards (?)
So Thornburn is gone and Enstrom will be at training camp in September. I'm actually glad to say the same about Dano. He clearly has potential, and I want to see him flourish with the Jets.
Thorburn will certainly be missed in the dressing room. He didn't produce very often but when he did, they were clutch and beauty and/or lucky blasts. He was the Jets top enforcer and acquired 832 penalty minutes over the course of 10 seasons for the franchise. I liked Thorny. He is of good character and a team-player. I wish him well.
Now watch as he wins the cup with Vegas (or whoever) within three years.
