Panthers Look Forward to Shawn Thornton’s Non-Enforcer Skills
As enforcers struggle to find work, Shawn Thornton soldiers on with Panthers
From Paul Laus to Peter Worrell, the team has never shied away from dressing players known more for racking up penalty minutes than points. With this in mind, it should have come as little surprise to fans when general manager Dale Tallon made it a priority this offseason to recruit one of the NHL’s most notorious enforcers, former Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton.
“He can play it any way you want,” Tallon said after inking Thornton to a two-year, $2.4 million contract. “He’ll surprise you with his skills and he’ll score some highlight-film goals, but he knows his role. His fitness level is incredible, his nutrition. He’ll really be a great leader in our locker room for our young guys. He’ll show them the way.”
