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SAN JOSE — Sharks center Joe Thornton revealed Tuesday that the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee were fully torn when he was injured on Jan. 23 in game against the Winnipeg Jets at SAP Center.

It’s the same injury he dealt with last spring, only it was his left knee that was hurt at that point.

Thornton had surgery Jan. 25 and at the time, the Sharks only revealed that Thornton underwent an arthroscopic procedure “to address an issue with his right medial collateral ligament.”

“They were the same. They were the exact same,” Thornton said of his surgeries. “They said it’s very, very strange that it happened, but luckily I have two strong knees now.”

Thornton, meeting with reporters during the team’s locker cleanout day Tuesday, two days after the Sharks were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the Vegas Golden Knights, also made it clear he wants to remain in San Jose. Thornton signed a one-year, $8 million contract last July and can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

“I want to come back, and I’m sure we’ll try and work something out,” he said. “It’s no secret I’m a Shark. I bleed teal and I want to come back and I know I’m going to be healthy when I come back. I’m sure we can figure something out, but I want to come back.” Get Sharks news in your inbox. Sign up now for the free Sharks Report newsletter.

Thornton said he still was holding out hope for a return to the Sharks’ lineup at some point in the playoffs, although the timeline for his rehabilitation was the same as it was for his serious injury last year.

“I needed some more time. That’s just the reality of it,” Thornton said. “I needed to get my knee a little bit stronger. It was responding really good. It’s responding good now. I’m going to be healthy, but I just need some more time.”

The Sharks are projected to have about $20 million in salary cap space this summer, and figure to make an impact in the free agent market. Players like Tomas Hertl and Chris Tierney are restricted free agents and will likely get raises, and forwards Logan Couture and captain Joe Pavelski will be entering the final year of their respective contracts. Like our Sharks Facebook page for more San Jose Sharks news, commentary and conversation.

The Sharks will also, in all likelihood, make an effort to resign Evander Kane, who is also slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Thornton, 38, said he is OK with signing one-year contracts at this point in his career and would be willing to take a pay cut so the Sharks could have more flexibility under next year’s cap.

“There’s enough money around for everybody,” he said.

“I really don’t know who the free agents are, I haven’t looked, to be honest with you. I’m sure I’ll look at it shortly. But yeah, I want this team, ultimately, to win the Stanley Cup. This city deserves it and these guys deserve it. So, whatever we decide, it’s going to be in the back of my head, just making this team better.”

Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said he was looking forward to meeting with Thornton and his agent, John Thornton, Joe’s brother, “very quickly.”

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Sharks will soon make Bob Boughner their full-time coach, per report How much the Sharks can afford to offer Thornton could depend on how costly new contracts for Hertl and Couture might be. A new deal for Kane would, in all likelihood, be one of the richest on the team. There is also the possibility of the Sharks making a run at another top line center such as the New York Islanders John Tavares, who can also become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

“I don’t think there’s a player that I’ve met in 40 years in this business that I respect more than Joe Thornton. He’s incredible,” Wilson said “When it comes to contracts and things like that — I have a lot of different contracts, different players I have to do.”

Thornton, true to form, worked out on Tuesday as he and his teammates did exit interviews with the Sharks coaching staff, still stinging from their loss to the Golden Knights, who will play either Winnipeg or Nashville in the Western Conference final.

“I’m excited for this team,” Thornton said. “A lot of guys made big leaps this year. I’m sure teams are always adding new things or trying at least to add new things. But if you’re a Shark fan, you’ve got to be excited for this team still.”