Chicago Blackhawk fans will be happy to hear that forward Jonathan Toews has released news that he is doing well. The star missed the entirety of the 2020-21 season due to an undisclosed ailment, but he provided an update on what he encountered along with his current status Wednesday morning.
I wasn’t too vocal about the things I went through this year. I appreciate the understanding and support and wanted to share this message on where I’m at. pic.twitter.com/3qgftKki10
— Jonathan Toews (@JonathanToews) June 30, 2021
Blackhawks Jonathan Toews Recovering
The team sorely missed Toews’ veteran presence in 2020-21. Chicago had some strong performances on its roster, but the team stumbled late and finished in sixth place in the Central Division. They were very top-heavy and lacked consistent threats behind veteran star Patrick Kane and young centrepiece Alex DeBrincat. Toews would have gone a long way towards providing depth and production in most key situations.
The Blackhawks originally drafted Toews third overall in the 2006 Draft and have enjoyed his time as one of the most important players in franchise history. His 345 goals and 815 points are both ranked sixth highest in franchise history. He’s been a big part of three Stanley Cup victories and won multiple accolades. Toews has never quite surpassed his teammate, Kane, but it’s not outrageous to argue that Toews is more important given his all-around contributions. It is good to look ahead and hope that he can take the ice in 2021-22.
What Comes Next
The team will continue to proceed as though Toews is good to skate next year. They have very few players hitting free agency that are vital to the team’s success. However, their projected cap space is just $6.2 million. That means they may not be able to make big moves to contend even with Toews’ return. Much of the Blackhawks’ success in the coming year will come from getting one more good campaign out of veterans and hoping that young players can take another step forward. Toews won’t be enough to push the team back to the postseason without some good luck along the way.
