BUFFALO, N.Y. — They are the last two standing from the 1997 NHL Draft.



“With Lou gone it’s just us, eh Patty?” Joe Thornton says as we sit down this week.



Yes, with Roberto Luongo retired, the ’97 draft class has two players still going, the guys who went 1-2 overall more than 22 years ago in Thornton and Patrick Marleau.



The pair of 40-year-olds still love the game so much. And I think appreciate each game they play more than ever.



They’re back together again, Marleau signing with the Sharks four games into the season after a stressful summer wondering if the day would ever come.



Marleau’s exit from San Jose to Toronto as a free agent in July 2017 seemingly ended his long run as teammates with Thornton, although the Maple Leafs tried to lure both that summer, but here they are riding side-by-side once more.



I’ve interviewed both players countless times, but never at the same time. I...