SAN JOSE, Calif. — You watch this Lightning team on a daily basis, and it doesn’t look like it needs much upgrading at the NHL trade deadline, which is three weeks from Monday.



They’ve won 15 of their last 18 games and sit solidly in second place in the Atlantic Division (leading the league in goal differential). We’ve seen more commitment and buy-in to play in their own zone than they ever showed during their historic, 62-win season a year ago. They’re deep. They’re determined.



But GM Julien BriseBois is still going to look for ways to improve his club and will do anything he thinks will give it an edge to put it over the top.



And one intriguing name to watch the next few weeks is a familiar one: Joe Thornton.



Thornton, 40, may not skate like he used to, but the future Hall of Fame center could be a difference-maker on the third or fourth line of a contending team. He’s got size (6-foot-4, 220), character,...