Insane is the only word you can say about Jonathan Toews and his turnaround. Coming into the season, there was a “buzz” in the air about Toews being “washed,” bringing in the talk about him retiring. But, after this flaming hot start to the season, you’d have to imagine that Toews has another payday on his mind in Chicago or elsewhere.
Whatever Toews changed in his off-season has him almost back to his 2010 performance. To put in perspective just how crazy the flip in Toews’s production this season is. Last season it took Toews twenty-six games to score his first goal. That is not a typo. It took him more than half the season to achieve the five-goal mark (47 games). During game fifty-five last season, Toews finally scored goal number ten. Toews already has SEVEN goals in just TWELVE games into this season.
The Captain has been getting it done in every fashion. He is scoring sweet flashy goals like the breakaway goal, where he uses his poise to outwait the goalie and slip it in the net. Toews has also scored gritty goals. Like the one versus the panthers where he had to work his thirty-four-year-old tail off, battle the Florida player to get to the puck and wrap it around for the empty net goal.
He is a force to be reckoned with no matter the situation on the ice. Toews has three power-play goals, one three-on-three overtime goal, one empty net goal, and two five-on-five goals. He is lighting the lamp no matter what. Toews’s willingness to get dirty and battle in front again has been a significant factor in his bounce-back season. His Corsi percentage of 44.9 is below his career average of 57.1, but that is to be expected on a team that doesn’t have the puck a lot will hurt your Corsi. Toews has still found a way to improve on the ice. The entire off-season of training and being “healthy” going in has Toews’s body refreshed and ready to go. To the people talking about his body failing him, WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN WATCHING?
Now, he is not the same player he was when hoisting Stanley Cups and winning Selke Trophies, but he’s playing at 85% or better. He has lost a step on speed but hit his brain, and hockey IQ keeps him in the correct position. So is he a Selke favorite? Maybe, if you look at his face off a percentage of 59.6, that the Selke voters love. But realistically, he doesn’t have a shot, but he’s been solid but not great defensively to start the season. His shooting percentage is astronomically high at 30.4, and with his career shooting percentage of 13.8, you can expect to see this come back down to earth; this does not mean he won’t continue his blazing pace. Toews’s willingness to get dirty areas and power play time, paired with the heart and drive, will be enough to continue to put the puck in the net. Toews is on pace to break thirty goals, AND HE WILL.
Jonathan is a competitor, he has zero quit, and he’s not afraid to express that he is pissed when he losses. This makes him an all-time great, the fire that burns inside him to win. Toews will never give up or quit. If Toews continues this pace, trade value will be through the roof, and teams such as the Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche could be willing to give Kyle Davidson a first-round pick for the services of Jonathan Toews.
Or do the Blackhawks continue to battle for a playoff season, and Toews says, “nope, I’m not waving my no-movement clause, and I want to re-sign in Chicago and retire a Blackhawk”? It’s a possibility. Every player from top to bottom has said the locker room is a happier, more fun place. They look happier on the ice, the body language is upbeat, and this team never quits. The change to Luke Richardson has changed the identity of the Chicago Blackhawks pair with success for Toews on the ice, and it could be the perfect storm for Toews to decide to stay in the Windy City. Who knows, but one thing you can book is Toews is BACK and back in a significant way!
Blackhawks injury update
Petr Mrazek has been activated off the injured reserve, and Alex Stalock has been placed on the injured reserve. Stalock was injured after taking just a blatantly dirty hit to the head from Islander’s Casey Cizikas. Hopefully, Stalock can get healthy soon.
Season 2 Episode 10: Is Patrick Kane The Greatest Blackhawks Player Of All Time – Cue The Dagger
- Season 2 Episode 10: Is Patrick Kane The Greatest Blackhawks Player Of All Time
- Season 2 Episode 9: Peter Laviolette III
- Season 2 Episode 8: Hossa Night, Early NHL awards, NHL talk and more
- Season 2 Episode 7: Is Toews back? Should Matthews have to fight? and much more!
- Season 2 Episode 6: Three Blackhawks trades, Chicago's hot start, around the NHL and more
