The struggling Bruins traded captain Joe Thornton to the Sharks on Wednesday night for three players.
The Bruins get forwards Marco Sturm and Wayne Primeau and defenseman Brad Stuart for Thornton, 26, who signed a three-year, $20 million contract with Boston in August and was once thought to be the future of the franchise.
“I was blindsided,” Thornton said in a conference call. “On the one hand it’s disappointing, and on the other it’s good to start over again”
The 6-foot-4-inch, 225-pound Thornton scored more than 20 goals in each of his last five NHL seasons, including two with 30 or more.
This season, Thornton has nine goals and 24 assists.
Fischer in hospital again
Red Wings defenseman Jiri Fischer had another abnormal heartbeat this week and returned to the hospital.
He was released Wednesday and is to undergo further testing at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, the team said.
While resting at home Monday, Fischer experienced a “brief, abnormal cardiac rhythm,” and went back to Detroit Medical Center for tests. General manager Ken Holland said doctors have told Fischer he should have no physical activity for a minimum of four to six weeks.
Fischer last week collapsed in convulsions on the bench during a game.
Slap shots
Bruins defenseman Jonathan Girard, 25, retired, abandoning his comeback more than two years after he was seriously injured in a car accident. . . .
Goaltender Jocelyn Thibault cleared waivers, but the Penguins apparently plan to keep him for now. He can be sent to the minors but would have to clear again if the team wanted to recall him.
WEDNESDAY’S GAMES
RESULTS, SYNOPSIS
Los Angeles 2 at BLACKHAWKS 3
Complete Blackhawks coverage, Page 4
New Jersey 1 at Philadelphia 2
Mike Knuble and Patrick Sharp scored for Flyers, who’d lost 4 straight at home after winning 9 in row at Wachovia Center. Last in NHL in penalty killing, Flyers killed off 2 5-on-3s in 2nd period.
Toronto 1 at Tampa Bay 2
Ed Belfour came up short in 1st bid to break tie for 2nd on NHL victory list as Pavel Kubina beat him on a tie-breaking power-play goal with 8:38 left. Belfour is tied with Terry Sawchuk at 447.
Columbus 3 at Minnesota 2
Jaroslav Balastik’s goal in 3rd round of shootout lifted Jackets. Randy Robitaille, who tied game with 6:33 left in regulation, was denied by Jackets goalie Pascal Leclaire on Wild’s final chance.
San Jose 1 at Dallas 4
Antti Miettinen scored on penalty shot, Sergei Zubov added power-play goal as Stars handed Sharks 10th straight loss. Marty Turco had 17 saves for Stars, 10-2 in last 12 games.
Colorado 2 at Vancouver 5
Brendan Morrison scored go-ahead goal on breakaway late in 2nd period. Vancouver had been outscored 21-10 in 4 straight losses to Avs. Canucks now 11-1 at home–only loss was to Avs.
Phoenix 1 at Anaheim 6
Ducks’ Dustin Penner got 1st 2 NHL goals on power plays, assisted on Teemu Selanne goal that extended Selanne’s goal-scoring streak to 5 gms. Chris Kunitz scored 8 secs later in 2nd period.
