Thornton says he had 'a sh-- ton' of offers

Warning: The following post contains coarse language.

Joe Thornton certainly has a way with words.

The San Jose Sharks forward didn't hold back when asked how many offers he had in free agency.

"I don't know the number, but there was a shit ton," Thornton told reporters Sunday, according to Stephen Whyno of The Associated Press.

The Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings, and Nashville Predators all reportedly reached out to the 38-year-old in the days leading up to the start of the free-agent signing period Saturday, when Thornton's new one-year deal with San Jose was first reported.

The Sharks made it official Sunday, announcing the new contract, which according to his agency, Top Shelf Sports Management, is worth $8 million.

Thornton told NBC Sports California's Kevin Kurz that during the free agency process he was in frequent contact with his former San Jose teammate Patrick Marleau, who signed a three-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier Sunday.

"I was in constant talks with Patty, texting and calling each other," Thornton said. "Obviously I’m bummed that Patty’s not coming back. But I think he’s going to do great in Toronto and I think it’s going to be a good fit."

" ... Patty is going to be a Shark for life, and he’s going to go down as the best Shark of all time. I’m just happy for him and his family. As far as the Sharks are concerned, everybody has got to just pick up the goal scoring a little bit and move on.”