Earlier today, former Chicago Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews thanked the city of Chicago for the 16 years that he spent with the organization, and according to Jay Zawaski, the belief is that Toews will not play during the 2023-24 season but wants to come back for the 2024-25 season. Toews was limited to only 53 games last season due to the effects of Long Covid and chronic immune response syndrome; he finished the season with 15 goals and 16 assists for 31 points, and Toews eight-year deal with the Blackhawks expired at the end of last season. The Winnipeg native has been a huge part of the Chicago Blackhawks organization as he’s spent his entire career in Chicago as the Blackhawks selected him third overall in the 2006 NHL Draft and spent the last 15 seasons as their captain, leading them to three Stanley Cup Championships. Throughout his 16-year career, Toews has put up 372 goals and 511 assists for 883 points in 1,067 games. The 35-year-old winger is in the top 10 in all three scoring categories in the Blackhawks franchise and is fifth in games played.
With Toews not returning to Chicago, the Blackhawks, for the first time since 2008, will need a new captain to replace Toews. If Toews does plan on playing hockey during the 2024-25 season, it is almost certain that it will be on a one-year deal somewhere.
