Thornton says he hasn't thought about future after season-ending loss

Joe Thornton wasn't ready to say whether he plans to continue his career in the aftermath of his club's elimination on Tuesday night.

"No. Nope," the veteran San Jose Sharks forward told reporters, including NHL Network's Jon Morosi, when asked if he's thought about his future following the Sharks' 5-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final.

Thornton is a pending unrestricted free agent who will turn 40 on July 2, one day after free agency opens.

He contributed 51 points in 73 games during the 2018-19 regular season, adding 10 points in 19 playoff contests.

Tuesday's loss ended Thornton's 21st NHL season. He's spent parts of 14 campaigns with the Sharks.

The supremely skilled playmaker has signed one-year contracts to remain with San Jose before each of the last two seasons.

Thornton ranks eighth on the NHL's all-time assists list, and 14th among the league's all-time points leaders.

He's also the Sharks' all-time assists leader, sits second in franchise history in points and games played, and ranks third on San Jose's all-time goals list.