Blackhawks’ Jonathan Toews Unlikely to be Traded, Suffering From Long-COVID Symptoms
Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews is likely to remain in the Windy City beyond the March 3rd trade deadline.
Toews, an impending unrestricted free agent, hasn’t played since Jan. 28 due to an illness and isn’t expected to return before next month’s deadline. As a result, the three-time Stanley Cup champion’s chances of being traded this season now appear slim.
Previously, the 34-year-old’s injury was described as minor and was unlikely to sideline him for an extended period. But on Sunday, the team released a statement from its captain, revealing additional details regarding his health status.
The 6-foot-2 centre announced he continues to suffer from long-COVID symptoms and chronic immune response syndrome, thanking the fan base for their continued support throughout this difficult time.
“First of all, thank you to the fans and all those who have shown concern about my absence,” Toews said. “I’m still dealing with the symptoms of Long COVID and Chronic Immune Response Syndrome.”
“It has been really challenging to play through these symptoms,” Toews continued. “In the last few weeks, it has reached the point where I had no choice but to step back and concentrate on getting healthy. I am thankful for the patience and support of my teammates, the coaching staff, and the entire Blackhawks organization.”
Toews missed the entire 2020-21 campaign due to chronic immune response syndrome before returning the following season, albeit producing career-lows in goals and points across 71 games. He has 14 goals and 28 points in 46 contests this season.
Prior to Toews’ announcement, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported the veteran forward wouldn’t be traded by the deadline, revealing both sides mutually agreed to remove him from the trade block. Seravalli also noted that the All-Star centre could return at some point in March.
With Toews no longer a potential trade chip, Chicago’s best chances of netting a sizable return via trade likely centres around Patrick Kane, a fellow impending UFA. Finding a home, however, for the superstar winger could be tricky, given his $10.5 million cap hit.
Chicago’s front office could also sell off other skaters like Max Domi, Andreas Athanasiou and Jake McCabe in hopes of adding to their already impressive pool of draft picks, which includes six selections across the first three rounds in 2023.
As a franchise striving for the first overall selection in next summer’s draft, earning them the honour of drafting young phenom Connor Bedard, the Blackhawks will be doing anything possible to sustain their lottery odds. And they’ve been pretty successful thus far, sitting dead last in the NHL at 17-32-5 with 39 points.
Toews, a third overall selection by the Blackhawks in 2006, was an integral piece during all three of the franchise’s Stanley Cup victories (2010, 2013, 2015), serving as a six-time 20-goal scorer from 2009-15. Overall, he owns 371 goals and 880 points over 1,060 career games.
The Winnipeg, Man., native has won a Conn Smythe Trophy (2010), Frank J. Selke Trophy (2013), Mark Messier Leadership Award (2015) and was named to the league’s 100th Anniversary team in 2017.
-Thomas Hall
Twitter: @ThomasHall85
Photo: David Kindler. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.