If that means being the odd man out when Marc Savard returns for Game 1 on Saturday afternoon, then so be it. Thornton realizes the move isn't necessarily a reflection of his play but rather a coach's decision based on the current situation.
"That's why I have this ring on my finger, boys," Thornton said while sporting his Stanley Cup ring that he won with the Ducks in 2007. "I've been here before and I'll be here again. You do what's right for the team and do your job when you're asked to. If my job is to sit up top to make room for Savvy, then that's what I'll do."
Thornton has been skating with the "Black Aces" and healthy scratches the last three practices, and all indications are that he will be a healthy scratch when the Bruins take to the ice for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia Flyers. Both Thornton and head coach Claude Julien stressed that the decision has not been made, but team sources told NESN.com Friday afternoon that No. 22 will be watching from above.
"I didn't know I made that decision," Julien said when asked about Thornton. "There's an assumption there, but we'll see what we decide. That decision hasn't been made."
Many are questioning why Julien would sit such a player against a team that thrives off the style Thornton plays.
"I would consider us team-tough. I don't see any issues any way we go, and if there is, they will be addressed. It's as simple as that," Julien said.
For now, it appears Julien believes in that depth of toughness, enough so to sit a guy that had 21 fighting majors this season.
"We have a very deep team," Thornton said. "I'm hoping it wasn't an easy decision if that's what happens, and if it's not me sitting out, it's somebody else. I'm hoping that's not an easy decision. That's definitely a good sign for the depth on this team.
"We'll see what happens [on Saturday]. I don't know what's going on yet. Yeah, if you go by the lines, then I'm the odd man out," Thornton added. "It sucks sitting out. … Everyone wants to win. Everyone wants to make what they feel is the best decision to put the team in the best spot. I think if you ask around, most people say I'm a team guy, so I'll do whatever."
That's why younger players and veterans alike love having a guy like Thornton on their team. He is truly a team player and his teammates respect the way he is handling this potential exit from the lineup.
"You see him out there with us [Black Aces] and giving us tips, joking around and keeping us upbeat and you know it's gotta be hurting him inside that he isn't in the lineup, but still he keeps positive and works hard," said rookie Brad Marchand. "I've learned a lot from talking to Thorty and I'm lucky to have a guy like him around in my first season here."
On the opposite end of the age spectrum, veteran forward Mark Recchi, at 42, knows what a character guy and role player is. Recchi acknowledged that Thornton's toughness will be missed against a physical Flyers squad that also has pests like Daniel Carcillo that will try to bait the Bruins into retaliatory penalties.
"Well, yeah, I think we miss him not being out there if he is the scratch, because he brings intangibles like that, for sure," Recchi said. "He is not just an enforcer. I know he had 21 fighting majors and yeah that's a big part of his game, but Thorty works hard and he's a leader out there and on the bench. But he knows that we think that and he's showing his leadership with the way he handles this."
If Thornton sits in Game 1, he won't be sitting before or after the game. Instead, he will do what any healthy scratch or a backup goalie does — prepare for each game as if he's going to play. You never know when you will get the call to go back in, and Thornton wants to be ready when that call comes.
"If I'm out, then I'll stay on top of my conditioning to make sure I'm ready when called upon if need be," Thornton said. "Obviously, I've been around, this is my 13th year. I haven't been told what's going on, but in case — and the last game I only played five minutes, too — it's not like the extra work is going to hurt me. I try to take it upon myself to be on top of those things and be ready if called."
