Is Thornton the most underrated generational talent?

[illpucks]

As for generational talents we commonly hear Crosby Ovi Malkin McDavid maybe Drai

But Jumbo is 41 and is ppg and just became the oldest player in Leafs history to record a 3 point game.

Some people say he's playing with Marner and Matthews but this is the same dude that turned Cheechoo into a superstar. Rewind the clock and he's easily the best talent on that line.

He's a 41 year old and can still can do



There's a strong argument for him being generational in playmaking as Ovi in goal scoring (though Ovi is also great playmaker)

So is he the most underrated generational talent?

Click to read more...

 

[93LEAFS]

He wasn't generational. Great player, first ballot HHOF. Unless you are calling guys like Yzerman, Sakic, etc generational and really expanding the term.

 

[DearDiary]

That Sens player almost ended up on a stretcher

 

[jetsforever]

We definitely don't hear Drai as "generational".
Thornton isn't really either, although he's at the very top of the next tier.

 

[JustaFinnishGuy]

How does a player who wasn't generational for any year of his career become generational because he's decent at the end of his career?

 

[Eternal Leaf]

He was a superstar in his prime.

But never generational.

 

[tilly123123]

How does a player who wasn't generational for any year of his career become generational because he's decent at the end of his career?

No it’s becasue he’s a leaf now. You new around here !? Lol

 

[Huokaus]

8 Leafs threads in the first page

But yeah, I haven't heard the word "generational" being tossed around for Drai, nor for Thornton for that matter. Players can be really good without being generational.

 

[Beville]

He is not at the level of Crosby or Ovechkin by any stretch.

He’s just playing well...

And not being funny it’s against Ottawa and Matthews is on a 15 point streak - it’s just a scrimmage for them.

 

[illpucks]

He wasn't generational. Great player, first ballot HHOF. Unless you are calling guys like Yzerman, Sakic, etc generational and really expanding the term.

92 assists is post lockout record. Serious generational playmaking there. Combined with a 56 goal Cheechoo Rocket win over a 123 pt- 54 goal Jagr, and a 52 goal Ovi. Those guys didn't do anything like that. I know they are amazing players Sakic and Yzerman but I mean not like that stat.

 

[illpucks]

He was a superstar in his prime.

But never generational.

92 assists say otherwise. 56 goal Cheechoo says otherwise. It was out of this planet. He's the best playmaker of the generation like Ovi is the best goal scorer of the generation. If Ovi is generational then Jumbo should be too.

 

[snowkiddin]

What does generational even mean anymore? Seems like it’s thrown around way too often. “Franchise” and “generational” aren’t the same thing IMO.

 

[93LEAFS]

92 assists is post lockout record. Serious generational playmaking there. Combined with a 56 goal Cheechoo Rocket win over a 123 pt- 54 goal Jagr, and a 52 goal Ovi. Those guys didn't do anything like that. I know they are amazing players Sakic and Yzerman but I mean not like that stat.

Generational isn't a level at a certain trait. It's by being the clear best player of your generation. He's not ahead of Ovi or Crosby or Jagr of forwards he played against. Where he ranks next to Sakic and Yzerman is also highly debatable guys he played against for a few years. Great player, first ballot HHOF, will get his number retired in San Jose. But, not generational.

 

[illpucks]

What does generational even mean anymore? Seems like it’s thrown around way too often. “Franchise” and “generational” aren’t the same thing IMO.

My thing is that I will say out of all the NHL players that have entered the league since 2005, Thornton is the best playmaker. He will beat all the best guys at playmaking in his prime. So to say he's not generational is just silly and overlooking that.

 

[nowhereman]

He isn't close to generational.

Gretzky, Orr, Howe, Lemieux, Crosby, OV, Beliveau, McDavid and Hull are deserving of the term "generational". After that, you have guys like Sakic, Esposito, Clarke, Yzerman, Lidstrom and Potvin; incredible players but not quite at the very pinnacle of the sport. I'd have Thornton in the group after those guys.

 

[Nona Di Giuseppe]

92 assists is post lockout record. Serious generational playmaking there. Combined with a 56 goal Cheechoo Rocket win over a 123 pt- 54 goal Jagr, and a 52 goal Ovi. Those guys didn't do anything like that. I know they are amazing players Sakic and Yzerman but I mean not like that stat.

"generational playmaking"

get out with that garbage. a player is generational. one aspect of a player is not. it's not how the term is used. and just the fact henrik sedin was in the neighborhood illuminates how non-"generational" this is.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Lol, Generation and Thornton are two words that don't belong together.

 

[illpucks]

"generational playmaking"

get out with that garbage. a player is generational. one aspect of a player is not. it's not how the term is used. and just the fact henrik sedin was in the neighborhood illuminates how non-"generational" this is.

he's good at goal scoring too but that isnt his role but hes actually quite elite at it

 

[illpucks]

Lol, Generation and Thornton are two words that don't belong together.

only knock on him is the no cups. if he has 2-3 cups hes probably up there with sid and geno in peoples convos

 

[illpucks]

Lol, Generation and Thornton are two words that don't belong together.

prob best pass in nhl history

 

[illpucks]

"generational playmaking"

get out with that garbage. a player is generational. one aspect of a player is not. it's not how the term is used. and just the fact henrik sedin was in the neighborhood illuminates how non-"generational" this is.

also if henrik and daniel were 1 player they might be generational the knock is because they are twins

 

[Confused Turnip]

Generational celebration potential if he ever pots 4.

 

[illpucks]

Generational celebration potential if he ever pots 4.

found this

 

[fasterthanlight]

No generational player can play for the sharks for most of their career

 

[Jesus Take the Wheel]

prob best pass in nhl history

I always enjoy the exaggerated comments you combine with clips to try and prove a point

No thats probably not the best pass in nhl history (not that is matters because a 10 seconds clip is not evidence to prove a point about a players 20 years career)

No Thornton is not generational, he was not consistently considered the best player in the league at any time throughout his career