Tag: jonathan toews

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Truth of Jonathan Toews’ departure from Blackhawks comes out

NHL.com

It’s officially the end of an era in the Windy City that saw a franchise resurrected from the dead, the return of home games actually being broadcast on television, and a trio of unforgettable Stanley Cup runs. 

Jonathan Toews, the longtime captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, played his final game with the franchise on Thursday night at a packed United Center against the Philadelphia Flyers. Toews scored a goal for good measure, and got a proper sendoff from the crowd afterward. 

While Toews’ health has cast doubt upon his future playing in the NHL, it doesn’t sound as though he’s quite ready to call it a career on hockey’s biggest stage. And apparently, it wasn’t his decision that Thursday night was the last time he plays for the Blackhawks. In fact, it sounds as though that was purely a move made by team management, led by general manager Kyle Davidson. 

Per Mark Lazerus of The Athletic: 

“MacKenzie Entwistle said Jonathan Toews told the guys in Seattle that the Blackhawks wouldn’t be re-signing him. Nothing formal, just casual talks with teammates in the meal room.”

And according to comments made by Davidson himself, it certainly sounds as though the franchise was ready to move in a new direction without Toews, whether he wanted to or not. 

“I don’t know if resting on sentimentality or the past does us any good in the future,” Davidson said.

Professional sports certainly are a business, and there will be uncomfortable partings that can result in bitterness and hurt feelings. But to Toews’ credit, it doesn’t sound as though he’s sore over the decision – at least not publicly. 

“There’s absolutely no hard feelings,” he said. “I have nothing but love and gratitude for the Blackhawks and Rocky Wirtz and the Blackhawks family — everyone over the years who’s been a part of that. … It’s a business.”

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An emotional Jonathan Toews salutes the crowd in his final game as a Blackhawk

Zuma Press

Tonight Jonathan Toews plays his final game for the Chicago Blackhawks. 

Blackhawks’ GM Kyle Davidson issued a statement through the team earlier today, indicating that the team will NOT re-sign Toews as a free agent this upcoming offseason and that tonight will represent the end for Toews in Chicago.

Just prior to puck drop tonight, the Blackhawks faithful paid tribute to Toews with a touching, emotional round of applause.

Check it out:

The last one. What a run.

So… what’s next?

More insight from Blackhawks insider Mark Lazerus:

But TSN insider Pierre LeBrun states that Toews has not made a decision yet on whether he plans to continue his NHL career next summer.

Honestly… could you blame the guy if he just packed up and retired for good? He’s given his heart and soul to the Blackhawks for nearly two decades and has accomplished nearly every thing there is to accomplish in the sport. He’s a true champion and will go down in history as one of the best Blackhawks in history, with a real argument that he is THE best Blackhawk in history.

He’s a three time Stanley Cup champion, a two time Olympic gold medalist and one of the most respected players of his generation. His body is failing him and he has nothing to prove to anyone in the hockey world. Take a bow, Jonny… you’ve done well.

Last week though in conversation with Lazerus, Toews let it be known that he’d love to get the chance to play for a Stanley Cup contender one more time.

“There’s no doubt I’d love to know what that feels like again, to play hockey on the biggest stage and enjoy the spotlight and have an entire city on your back,” he said. “When you’re going through something real with your teammates, where you’re pushing through a lot and working through things together and figuring out how to reach the peak of the hockey world together. Nothing replaces that. You always kind of long for that experience.”

– Jonathan Toews

It sounds to me like there’s still a little fire in the belly there…

It makes me wonder if he might be interested in another spin around the sun with his good buddy Patrick Kane, now of the New York Rangers. Kane, of course, is a pending unrestricted free agent himself so his future is unclear as well.

“He’s a legend. I mean, he turned that franchise around. It’s pretty impressive what he’s done with his career, but just for that city … Great with the fans, great with the people. He was a guy that led our team so he’s a legend,” said Kane earlier today when told about the news.

“He’s had an amazing career. I really hope he enjoys tonight … & puts on a show for the fans because he gave a lot of people a lot of great memories.”

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Toews scores in his last game with the Blackhawks!

Chicago Blackhawks

UPDATE: Ladies and gentlemen, he’s done it!

On the big stage this evening in his final game with the Chicago Blackhawks, Jonathan Toews has scored a goal!

Check it out:

Read below for our report from earlier today on Toews and the Blackhawks’ decision to walk away from him this upcoming offseason.

Tonight Jonathan Toews plays his final game for the Chicago Blackhawks. 

Blackhawks’ GM Kyle Davidson issued a statement through the team earlier today, indicating that the team will NOT re-sign Toews as a free agent this upcoming offseason and that tonight will represent the end for Toews in Chicago.

Just prior to puck drop tonight, the Blackhawks faithful paid tribute to Toews with a touching, emotional round of applause.

Check it out:

The last one. What a run.

So… what’s next?

More insight from Blackhawks insider Mark Lazerus:

But TSN insider Pierre LeBrun states that Toews has not made a decision yet on whether he plans to continue his NHL career next summer.

Honestly… could you blame the guy if he just packed up and retired for good? He’s given his heart and soul to the Blackhawks for nearly two decades and has accomplished nearly every thing there is to accomplish in the sport. He’s a true champion and will go down in history as one of the best Blackhawks in history, with a real argument that he is THE best Blackhawk in history.

He’s a three time Stanley Cup champion, a two time Olympic gold medalist and one of the most respected players of his generation. His body is failing him and he has nothing to prove to anyone in the hockey world. Take a bow, Jonny… you’ve done well.

Last week though in conversation with Lazerus, Toews let it be known that he’d love to get the chance to play for a Stanley Cup contender one more time.

“There’s no doubt I’d love to know what that feels like again, to play hockey on the biggest stage and enjoy the spotlight and have an entire city on your back,” he said. “When you’re going through something real with your teammates, where you’re pushing through a lot and working through things together and figuring out how to reach the peak of the hockey world together. Nothing replaces that. You always kind of long for that experience.”

– Jonathan Toews

It sounds to me like there’s still a little fire in the belly there…

It makes me wonder if he might be interested in another spin around the sun with his good buddy Patrick Kane, now of the New York Rangers. Kane, of course, is a pending unrestricted free agent himself so his future is unclear as well.

“He’s a legend. I mean, he turned that franchise around. It’s pretty impressive what he’s done with his career, but just for that city … Great with the fans, great with the people. He was a guy that led our team so he’s a legend,” said Kane earlier today when told about the news.

“He’s had an amazing career. I really hope he enjoys tonight … & puts on a show for the fans because he gave a lot of people a lot of great memories.”

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It’s official, Toews will play his last game for the Blackhawks tonight

Chicago Blackhawks

This just in: Tonight Jonathan Toews will play his final game for the Chicago Blackhawks. 

Blackhawks’ GM Kyle Davidson has issued a statement through the team, indicating that the team will NOT re-sign Toews as a free agent this upcoming offseason and that tonight will represent the end for Toews in Chicago.

More insight from Blackhawks insider Mark Lazerus:

But TSN insider Pierre LeBrun states that Toews has not made a decision yet on whether he plans to continue his NHL career next summer.

Honestly… could you blame the guy if he just packed up and retired for good? He’s given his heart and soul to the Blackhawks for nearly two decades and has accomplished nearly every thing there is to accomplish in the sport. He’s a true champion and will go down in history as one of the best Blackhawks in history, with a real argument that he is THE best Blackhawk in history.

He’s a three time Stanley Cup champion, a two time Olympic gold medalist and one of the most respected players of his generation. His body is failing him and he has nothing to prove to anyone in the hockey world. Take a bow, Jonny… you’ve done well.

Last week though in conversation with Lazerus, Toews let it be known that he’d love to get the chance to play for a Stanley Cup contender one more time.

“There’s no doubt I’d love to know what that feels like again, to play hockey on the biggest stage and enjoy the spotlight and have an entire city on your back,” he said. “When you’re going through something real with your teammates, where you’re pushing through a lot and working through things together and figuring out how to reach the peak of the hockey world together. Nothing replaces that. You always kind of long for that experience.”

– Jonathan Toews

It sounds to me like there’s still a little fire in the belly there…

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Blackhawks make a shocking statement on captain Jonathan Toews

Chicago Blackhawks

This just in: Tonight Jonathan Toews will play his final game for the Chicago Blackhawks. 

Blackhawks’ GM Kyle Davidson has issued a statement through the team, indicating that the team will NOT re-sign Toews as a free agent this upcoming offseason and that tonight will represent the end for Toews in Chicago.

More insight from Blackhawks insider Mark Lazerus:

But TSN insider Pierre LeBrun states that Toews has not made a decision yet on whether he plans to continue his NHL career next summer.

Honestly… could you blame the guy if he just packed up and retired for good? He’s given his heart and soul to the Blackhawks for nearly two decades and has accomplished nearly every thing there is to accomplish in the sport. He’s a true champion and will go down in history as one of the best Blackhawks in history, with a real argument that he is THE best Blackhawk in history.

He’s a three time Stanley Cup champion, a two time Olympic gold medalist and one of the most respected players of his generation. His body is failing him and he has nothing to prove to anyone in the hockey world. Take a bow, Jonny… you’ve done well.

Last week though in conversation with Lazerus, Toews let it be known that he’d love to get the chance to play for a Stanley Cup contender one more time.

“There’s no doubt I’d love to know what that feels like again, to play hockey on the biggest stage and enjoy the spotlight and have an entire city on your back,” he said. “When you’re going through something real with your teammates, where you’re pushing through a lot and working through things together and figuring out how to reach the peak of the hockey world together. Nothing replaces that. You always kind of long for that experience.”

– Jonathan Toews

It sounds to me like there’s still a little fire in the belly there…

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Toews can’t “stomach the struggle” of Blackhawks, talks about retirement

Zuma Press

With Jonathan Toews on the IR the past month and a half and with Patrick Kane traded to the New York Rangers, the Chicago Blackhawks recently played their first game in 16 years without at least one of the two franchise icons in the lineup.

Indeed, it’s the end of an era in Chicago and it’s apparent to everyone around the NHL. Except to Toews himself, it appears.

Toews was asked last week about potentially retiring as a Blackhawk this summer and, honestly, he gave a pretty insightful answer:

“Regardless of what happens in the future this summer, it’s definitely on my mind that this could be my last few weeks here in Chicago as a Blackhawk.”

– Jonathan Toews

More from the captain:

Now, in a one on one interview with Blackhawks insider Mark Lazerus of The Athletic, Toews has admitted that he’s considering retirement and that if his body doesn’t tell him “Hell yeah!” for next season then the answer will be “Hell no!”

More from Lazerus:

“No idea whether I return to play for the Blackhawks next year, or play for another team, or I decide to move on to other things. I can tell the media wants to ask me about my so-called ‘pending retirement,’ even though I never said those words. But it’ll be a process of just feeling out what I truly feel inspired to do.

“But at this point, I’ve realized there’s no point in continuing to stomach this struggle. So if it’s not a hell yeah, then it’s a hell no.”

“There’s more to life than hockey, so it’s a weighing of my options and what feels right,” he said. “All these years, hockey’s been the One Thing. There hasn’t been much else in my life. And part of me is seeking some balance. So I guess we’ll see.”

– Jonathan Toews

Honestly, who would blame Toews if he walked away from the game this summer?

He’s a three time Stanley Cup champion, a two time Olympic gold medalist and one of the most respected players of his generation. His body is failing him and he has nothing to prove to anyone in the hockey world. Take a bow, Jonny… you’ve done well.

Still, it sounds like he’s still got some fire in him and I wouldn’t be surprised if he does move on to play with another NHL team.

“There’s no doubt I’d love to know what that feels like again, to play hockey on the biggest stage and enjoy the spotlight and have an entire city on your back,” he said. “When you’re going through something real with your teammates, where you’re pushing through a lot and working through things together and figuring out how to reach the peak of the hockey world together. Nothing replaces that. You always kind of long for that experience.”

– Jonathan Toews

What’s the plan, Jonny?

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Toews returns, says Kane trade was “shocking” to him

CHGO

With Jonathan Toews on the IR the past month and a half and with Patrick Kane traded to the New York Rangers, the Chicago Blackhawks recently played their first game in 16 years without at least one of the two franchise icons in the lineup.

Indeed, it’s the end of an era in Chicago and it’s apparent to everyone around the NHL. Except to Toews himself, it appears.

Toews returned to practice with his team today after spending the past six weeks on the IR and for the first time since the NHL’s trade deadline, he made a public comment on the Patrick Kane trade. Incredibly, Toews says he was “shocked” by the trade, despite the fact that it was rumored for literally months beforehand.

I’ll agree that Kane looks good in a Ranger uniform, but the same could be said for his Blackhawks uniform too. The fact is that the NHL’s original six teams have the best look in game, but I digress…

I’m honestly not sure I can buy what Toews is selling here. There’s no way that he was truly “shocked” when Kane was traded. We all knew it was going to happen. You’d have to be delusional or simply disingenuous to believe otherwise. Again, it’s the end of an era in Chicago and with free agency looming for the 34 year old Toews, you have to imagine that he’ll ride off into the sunset this offseason to officially end the “Kane & Toews” era for the Blackhawks.

Toews was asked about potentially retiring as a Blackhawk this summer and, honestly, he gave a pretty insightful answer:

“Regardless of what happens in the future this summer, it’s definitely on my mind that this could be my last few weeks here in Chicago as a Blackhawk.”

– Jonathan Toews

More from the captain:

Honestly, who would blame Toews if he walked away from the game this summer?

He’s a three time Stanley Cup champion, a two time Olympic gold medalist and one of the most respected players of his generation. His body is failing him and he has nothing to prove to anyone in the hockey world. Take a bow, Jonny… you’ve done well.

Categories
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It sounds like Jonathan Toews is planning to retire this offseason

CHGO

With Jonathan Toews on the IR the past month and a half and with Patrick Kane traded to the New York Rangers, the Chicago Blackhawks recently played their first game in 16 years without at least one of the two franchise icons in the lineup.

Indeed, it’s the end of an era in Chicago and it’s apparent to everyone around the NHL. Except to Toews himself, it appears.

Toews returned to practice with his team today after spending the past six weeks on the IR and for the first time since the NHL’s trade deadline, he made a public comment on the Patrick Kane trade. Incredibly, Toews says he was “shocked” by the trade, despite the fact that it was rumored for literally months beforehand.

I’ll agree that Kane looks good in a Ranger uniform, but the same could be said for his Blackhawks uniform too. The fact is that the NHL’s original six teams have the best look in game, but I digress…

I’m honestly not sure I can buy what Toews is selling here. There’s no way that he was truly “shocked” when Kane was traded. We all knew it was going to happen. You’d have to be delusional or simply disingenuous to believe otherwise. Again, it’s the end of an era in Chicago and with free agency looming for the 34 year old Toews, you have to imagine that he’ll ride off into the sunset this offseason to officially end the “Kane & Toews” era for the Blackhawks.

Toews was asked about potentially retiring as a Blackhawk this summer and, honestly, he gave a pretty insightful answer:

“Regardless of what happens in the future this summer, it’s definitely on my mind that this could be my last few weeks here in Chicago as a Blackhawk.”

– Jonathan Toews

More from the captain:

Honestly, who would blame Toews if he walked away from the game this summer?

He’s a three time Stanley Cup champion, a two time Olympic gold medalist and one of the most respected players of his generation. His body is failing him and he has nothing to prove to anyone in the hockey world. Take a bow, Jonny… you’ve done well.

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Jonathan Toews makes official statement on retirement

NHL.com

Earlier on Friday, it was confirmed that Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews will return to the lineup for Saturday’s game against the visiting New Jersey Devils.

The 34-year-old forward last played on Jan. 28 and has been sidelined since then with what he’s revealed were the effects of long COVID-19 and chronic immune response syndrome. It also sidelined him for the entire 2021-22 campaign.

He returns tomorrow, but reporters still wanted to know if he’ll return next season. Once he was sidelined and announced that he would stay in Chicago ahead of the trade deadline, rumours emerged that Toews was considering retirement.
On Friday, he made an official statement to address any long-term plans such as retirement.

“To be fully honest, I’m not near making that decision yet,” Toews said to reporters. “I don’t feel like with what I’ve been through this year and this past season that I have enough clarity on what that decision is going to be.”

In 46 games this season, Toews has put up 14 goals and 28 points. The three-time Stanley Cup champion (2010, 2013, 2015) is playing in the final season of an eight-year, $84 million contract.

But we don’t know if it is the final season of the his career. As of now.

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Huge update on Jonathan Toews

NHL.com

Since it was reported that captain Jonathan Toews isn’t unsure about playing again next season, the Chicago Blackhawks fanbase has been impatiently awaiting an update on his absence.

On Friday, we finally got the update we wanted: according to Ben Pope of the Sun Times, Toews will return to the Blackhawks’ lineup tomorrow against the New Jersey Devils.

Toews has only played in 46 games this season, missing action since Jan. 28 due to Chronic Immune Response Syndrome and long-COVID, which also sidelined him for the entire 2021-22 campaign.

It’s been said that the veteran player is “seriously considering retiring after the season,” but it remains to be seen. And it might start with how he feels on the ice on Saturday against the Devils. Head coach Luke Richardson revealed what his captain told him when he was given the green light.

“He’s like, ‘Well, it’s not going to be perfect. It might be ugly.'”
“I said, ‘We’re a little bit ugly right now, so you’ll fit right now.'”

The former No. 3 overall pick has spent his entire career with Chicago and issued the following statement after announcing his decision to remain with the Blackhawks on Feb. 19. His contract is coming to an end this summer and Toews will be an unrestricted free agent. He could decide to keep playing and stay in Chicago despite not being the right match for a Hawks team that is still in the early stages of a complete rebuild, but today’s huge update is the first step in that decision-making process.

He played 1,060 career NHL regular-season games and has recorded 371 goals and 509 assists for 880 points. He led the Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup Championships, won the 2010 Conn Smythe Trophy as Playoff MVP, the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2013 and the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award in 2015. He also won two gold medals with the U.S. Olympic team. And he is coming back.

At least on Saturday.

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