Joe Thornton Close to Becoming 13th Player with 1,000 Career Assists

San Jose Sharks forward Joe Thornton will return to action Saturday following the team's bye week in search of two assists to become the 13th player to join the 1,000-assist club, per Hockey-Reference.com.

Thornton went without a point in Sunday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins, but he racked up four helpers in the four games previous to that. The 37-year-old center has never been a big goal-scorer, but his goal rate has dropped massively this season.

A year after tallying 19 goals, Thornton has lit the lamp just five times through 60 contests in 2016-17. His assist rate has also dipped slightly, but the 19-season veteran has still dished out 34 thus far.

The Sharks currently sit atop the Pacific Division standings but have gone just 4-1-5 over the last 10 games and have lost six of their last eight.

It shouldn't faze a veteran-laden squad led by the likes of Thornton, Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau. The club sits in solid position to make its 12th postseason appearance in the last 13 years, but the Sharks will need to get things turned around if they intend to compete for the Cup. Thornton and the other veterans will likely need to lead the charge by example, and he's certainly done his part recently.

Lacking a Stanley Cup trophy remains the biggest blemish on Thonton's resume. His chances at rectifying that are beginning to dwindle, but perhaps 2016-17 will finally present him with an opportunity to hoist it.