Joe Thornton hasn't decided whether he'll suit up for another NHL campaign, but if he does, it'll be with the San Jose Sharks.

"It is safe to say," the veteran forward told reporters Thursday. "I'm a Shark. There's one team and it's here."

Thornton said he still has to discuss his future with the team before figuring out his next move.

"I've got to talk to (head coach) Pete (DeBoer), (general manager) Doug (Wilson), and (team owner) Hasso (Plattner), but we'll see," he said. "I feel like I can still play, that's for sure, but I haven't made any decision."

The 39-year-old added that he hasn't set a timeline for his choice.

Thornton will turn 40 on July 2, one day after free agency opens. He's a pending unrestricted free agent on his second straight one-year deal with San Jose.

The skilled playmaker just finished his 21st NHL season and has spent parts of 14 campaigns with the Sharks.

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Arbitrator Shyam Das has upheld NHL commissioner Gary Bettman's decision to suspend former Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov for the equivalent of one NHL season, the league announced Thursday.

Voynov was suspended in April for unacceptable off-ice conduct and filed an appeal shortly thereafter. Das credited Voynov with already serving 41 games, meaning the ban will remain in effect until halfway through of the 2019-20 regular season.

A statement from the NHL reads:

We have reviewed arbitrator Das' opinion in the NHLPA's appeal of Vyacheslav Voynov's suspension for domestic assault, which upheld the commissioner's imposition of a one-season (one-year) suspension for Voynov's off-ice conduct in October 2014. In his decision, arbitrator Das confirmed that there was substantial evidence to support each of the commissioner's material factual findings as well as the quantum of discipline imposed. Arbitrator Das described his decision to grant Mr. Voynov some "credit for time served" for a portion of the 2018-19 season as being due to various "highly unusual facts and circumstances (which) were not contemplated by the drafters of (the CBA) and do not easily fit into its procedures." While we do not believe Mr. Voynov was entitled to any "credit" for time missed during 2018-19 season, we accept arbitrator Das' conclusion that the precise factual context here was unusual - including the fact Voynov has not played in the NHL since October 2014, and that he did not play professional hockey at all during the 2018-19 season.

Taken in its totality, we are satisfied that arbitrator Das' decision supports our strongly held views that the conduct engaged in by Mr. Voynov in this case was completely unacceptable and worthy of significant league-imposed discipline. The decision also confirms and reaffirms the commissioner's broad authority under the CBA and applicable league rules to establish - and to enforce - appropriate standards of conduct for individuals involved in the National Hockey League.

Voynov was arrested in 2014 and convicted of misdemeanor domestic abuse after police reported he punched, kicked, and choked his wife. He was sentenced to 90 days in prison and his contract was terminated by the Kings.

The 29-year-old went on to play three seasons in the KHL and represented the Olympic Athletes from Russia at the 2018 Olympics. Voynov suited up in 190 NHL games with the Kings and won Stanley Cups in 2012 and 2014.

While the Kings still own Voynov's rights, they announced he will not return to the organization.

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The Minnesota Wild have a trade proposal on the table that's centered on Pittsburgh Penguins sniper Phil Kessel, sources told The Athletic's Josh Yohe.

Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford has said publicly he's willing to shake up his roster, while Kessel's name has frequently been mentioned in rumors.

Kessel helped the Penguins win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017, but the team was swept out of the first round by the New York Islanders this postseason.

The 31-year-old has three years remaining on his current eight-year deal and carries an annual cap hit of $8 million.

In terms of what the Penguins can expect in exchange, it's believed that talented winger Jason Zucker would be part of the trade, reports Yohe. The 27-year-old's speed would fit the Penguins' run-and-gun style and he's hit the 20-goal mark in four of the past five seasons.

The two sides also apparently discussed Penguins defenseman Jack Johnson and Wild forward Victor Rask, both of whom are signed to long-term deals.

Kessel - a Madison, Wis., native - played one season with the University of Minnesota in 2005-06 before turning pro.

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The Minnesota Wild have hired Hall of Fame forward Mike Modano as their executive advisor, the team announced Thursday. He'll begin his new role Sept. 1.

Modano will work directly with Wild president Matt Majka and owner Craig Leipold on initiatives related to the team's sales, community relations efforts, and corporate partnerships in the club's newly created position.

"I am very thankful for this opportunity and excited to work with Craig and Matt to help support a number of Minnesota Wild business initiatives," Modano said. "I have always felt a special relationship with this community and look forward to reconnecting with all the wonderful fans in the State of Hockey as a member of the Wild organization."

Modano compiled 561 goals and 1,374 points in 1,499 career NHL games during 21 seasons with the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars franchise and the Detroit Red Wings.

The 48-year-old won a Stanley Cup with the Stars in 1999 and was elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2014.

The hire marks Modano's second stint in a front-office position, as he previously served as an executive advisor and alternate governor with the Stars from 2013-15.

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Mark Stone scored the overtime winner on Thursday to eliminate Switzerland and launch Canada into the World Championship semifinals.

The Canadians barely survived regulation, however, and needed a dramatic last-second scramble to force the extra frame.

With Canada down 2-1 late in the third period, Damon Severson fired a point shot that trickled over the goal line to tie the game with 0.4 seconds on the clock.

Stone's game-winner was his second tally of the contest and seventh of the tournament, moving him into a tie with Anthony Mantha - who did not play against Switzerland due to his one-game suspension - for the team lead.

Pierre-Luc Dubois had a pair of assists in the win, and Dante Fabbro, Shea Theodore, and Stone added helpers of their own. Matt Murray turned aside 22 shots to record his fourth win for Canada.

Sven Andrighetto opened the scoring for Switzerland with the lone first-period tally and Nico Hischier potted his fourth goal of the tournament.

Canada has now won seven straight contests heading into the semifinals.

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The New York Islanders and forward Brock Nelson have agreed to a six-year contract extension.

The deal carries an annual average value of $6 million, according to Arthur Staple of The Athletic.

The 27-year-old Nelson is coming off a career-high 53-point season. He played an integral top-six role for a surprise Islanders team that finished second in the Metropolitan Division and then contributed four goals - including two game-winners - in eight playoff contests.

After being selected by the Islanders with the 30th overall pick in the 2010 draft, the 6-foot-3 center has racked up 241 points in 480 career games.

Nelson was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

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The Ottawa Senators have hired former Toronto Maple Leafs assistant D.J. Smith as their new head coach, the team announced Thursday.

More to come.

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