Major statement from Jonathan Toews regarding his future in the NHL

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MarcO
January 17, 2023 (8:50 PM)

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When they traded Alex DeBrincat and Kirby Dach, it was clear that the Chicago Blackhawks were in rebuilding mode. The next step for the club, which is currently sitting pretty in last place in the NHL with 26 points, would likely be to get rid of veterans Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.

The Hawks captain recently opened up on the subject to NBC Sports. The man who has given the organization no less than three Stanley Cups, since his career began in 2007-08, seems to want a chance to add a fourth to his list before he leaves the league.

"This is a tough question to answer, as part of me doesn't really want to admit what's going on and wants to remain a Blackhawk to finish out the career here. However, another part of me sees the ranking written on the wall. Maybe this organization is trying to hit the reset button and a change for everyone wouldn't be so bad. It starts with me." - Jonathan Toews

This is the first time he has gone on record with such a statement and opened the door to possibly leaving Chicago.

The veteran no longer has the impact, within the club, that he once had. His absence in 2020-2021, due to an immune system syndrome, will certainly not have helped. However, he made a successful comeback the following year with 37 points in 71 games. This season, he has 24 points in 40 games.

He may not be scoring as much as he would like, but his leadership is still the same. Having a player of his caliber in a lineup is certainly not a bad thing for a team aspiring to greatness. He also still believes he can do the job expected of him, despite his past troubles.

"The situation is complicated. This is the last year of my deal and I haven't played my best hockey in a long time. So I'm not sure about the possibilities and what's next. However, there is no doubt in my mind. I'm focusing on my game, trying to get better every day and enjoying the sport. No matter how long it takes, I will relish the opportunity to be a Blackhawk as long as I am." - Jonathan Toews

It will be interesting to see if Chicago can trade their captain by the March 3 trade deadline. In a recent tweet, Frank Seravalli mentioned that the Hawks might need a Third-Party Brokers in order to complete a deal involving Toews or Kane given the current salary situation of the league's rosters. The CH could even be that team that would give a small boost, in exchange for a gift, to a team in need of salary cap space.

A file to follow...

Source: NBC Sports