San Jose Sharks' Joe Thornton skates during an optional team practice in Vancouver, B.C., on Monday May 16, 2011.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press
Doug Wilson insisted he and Joe Thornton have buried the hatchet after a recent war of words over the San Jose Sharks' decision to strip the veteran centre of his captaincy.
The Sharks' general manager told season-ticket holders at an event last week that Thornton didn't always handle the pressure of wearing the "C" well and lashed out at people. Thornton's response was to say that Wilson should "shut his mouth" and stop lying.
Wilson said Tuesday that he and Thornton spoke briefly over the phone to clear the air.
"The conversation we had really resolved everything very quickly, emotions and things like that," Wilson said at the NHL general managers meeting. "Our relationship is at a really, really good place and that's all that really matters."
The Thornton situation was just the latest in a Sharks' saga that dates to last off-season, when Wilson trumpeted a rebuilding effort and the decision was made to strip the veteran forward of the captaincy. Thornton is one of four alternate captains this season for San Jose, which is just out of a playoff position in the Western Conference.
Entering Tuesday night's game at Winnipeg, the 35-year-old Thornton is second on the team with 58 points (14 goals, 44 assists). Wilson said Thornton has "done a heck of a job" this season.
Wilson said that in a perfect world, his comments would not have come out publicly. But he still defended his intentions.
At the season-ticket-holder event, he praised Thornton for caring so much about hockey while also noting that the captaincy affected him in a negative way.
"It comes from a good place," Wilson said. "I've had some great conversations with Joe on many different things. I think it was just a circumstance that happened, but it was funny, by the end of the day it was over and done with."
Thornton is in the first season of a $20.25-million, three-year contract signed in January 2014 that includes a full no-trade clause. Wilson said Tuesday he has not asked and will not ask Thornton to waive that no-trade clause.
"He and I have not only a contractual agreement, but a handshake agreement," Wilson said. "I know Joe. I appreciate him. I've known him since the world juniors. I care about him a lot. He knows how I feel about him."