Thornton's impact on the Sharks has been far greater than the results for the Bruins, the Sharks have made the playoffs every year since the trade and I'd consider them an elite team, among the top 5 in the NHL since the trade. The eventual signings of Chara and Savard worked okay but you traded off Sturm, Primeau and Stuart anyway.
Granted, the Sharks have kinda turtled in the playoffs and Bruins finally won after almost 40 years but Thornton still remains one of the best play maker's in the NHL.
Yeah, the Sharks got our deadweight "leader" and haven't won shit. The Bruins are now a completely restructured team loaded with young talent that is signed for the next few seasons as opposed to having to rely on a choke artist like Thornton to provide the bulk of the offense. Oh, and they are defending Cup Champs. Mark my words, that doesn't happen with Joe still on our team wearing a C.
The Sharks suck
Thornton sucks
The Bruins are leading the NHL in goals scored and are blowing the league out of the water in goal differential despite not having a player in the top 20 in points.
Oh, and there isn't a team in the league that can out tough them either.
Balance, we has it.