"Hasn't won a goddamn thing": When ex-Rangers HC John Tortorella roasted Joe Thornton for "softest team" chirp

Back in 2011, two NHL legends had a bitter verbal face-off. Joe Thornton, then in the peak of his career with the San Jose Sharks, openly called out the John Tortorella's team, the New York Rangers, the 'softest team' they had played on a road trip. The veteran coach had clapped back in his own way.

On Oct. 31st, 2011, the Sharks were routed by the Rangers on the road at Madison Square Garden. San Jose's 5-2 loss prompted a frustrated Thornton to label the Rangers a weaklink during their road trip and the fact that the Sharks should have been victorious on the night.

"They were probably the softest team we played on the trip," Thornton had said. "We should have had these two points."

Torotorella was made aware of the comments in the post-game interview. But his reply came the following day after the practice while speaking to reporters. He blasted the then 6x NHL All-Star, calling him out for his 'classless' comments, deeming it to be disrespectful for his team:

"It surprised me, and I've never heard a player say that," Tortorella had said. "Joe's a heck of a player, but here's a player popping off about our team, and Joe hasn't won a god d--- thing in this league. He could go down as a player, being one of the better players in our league never to win anything. So what he should do is just shut up. It was uncalled for, it was classless, and I've never had it happen like that before."

Both teams would make the playoffs; however, the Sharks would lose in the conference quarterfinals while the Rangers would be beaten in the conference finals. However, Tortorella's words stuck as Joe Thornton wouldn't go onto win any silverware with a team in his 24 seasons in the NHL.

Joe Thornton's legacy celebrated by Sharks in jersey retirement ceremony

Despite the lack of team accolades, the San Jose Sharks cannot ignore Joe Thornton's contributions to California based club. After his retirement, the 45-year-old, who played 15 seasons in San Jose, left as the all-time leader in assists, the second-highest in points and third-highest in games played.

In a ceremony on the Nov. 24th, ahead of the Sharks' game against the Sabres, Thornton's iconic #19 Sharks jersey was raised to the rafters alongside the #12 of his former teammate Patrick Marleau. Thornton is expected to join the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2025, in his very first year of eligibility.