SAN JOSE, July 1 -- The San Jose Sharks jumped into the market on the first day of the NHL free agency period Saturday night, signing veteran left wing Scott Thornton away from the Dallas Stars.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Thornton was paid $950,000 last season, which he split between the Montreal Canadiens and Dallas.
The 6-3, 217-pound Thornton was used in a more offensive role for the Stars, playing on a line with Joe Nieuwendyk and Jamie Langenbrunner. The former first-round draft pick opted for unrestricted free agency as a 10-year veteran who earned less than the NHL average of $1.36 million last season.
Thornton combined for eight goals and six assists in 65 games last season, adding two goals and seven assists in 23 playoff games as the Stars returned to the Stanley Cup Finals. Along the way, Dallas eliminated the Sharks in five games in the Western Conference semifinals.
"Thornton's versatility, combined with his skill and toughness, is a valuable commodity up front," said San Jose general manager Dean Lombardi. "He fills a need and can play center and lots of minutes. Plus, he uses his size and strength to his advantage."
The Toronto Maple Leafs made Thornton the third overall pick in the 1989 draft and he also has played for Edmonton during a 10-year career. He has 55 goals and 62 assists with 896 penalty minutes in 494 NHL games.
