BOSTON -- On Friday morning, Shawn Thornton said that he still couldn't believe there wasn't a practice that day.
Instead, the Bruins were packing up and going home for the summer. When they return for the 2012-13 season, Thornton will be just as surprised if he won't have his line mates back with the B's for another run.
Both Gregory Campbell and Daniel Paille are free agents. But Thornton made his case for wanting the Bruins to re-sign them.
"I don't know what's going to happen," said Thornton. "I hope Campbell and Paille are back. All I know is, it's been an absolute pleasure to play with those two guys for the last two years. I wouldn't be where I am, as far as coming back with a contract. I wouldn't be there without those guys.
"I'm very fortunate that I play with two guys that are probably third-line guys on 20 of the other 30 teams, I'd say. Us being the fourth line on this team shows our depth, but, I'm very fortunate to have those two guys as my line mates for sure.
"And I hope they're back, I really do," said Thornton. "Because I love playing with them."