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.”