Jonathan Toews Approaches a Crossroads with the Chicago Blackhawks

At the beginning of this NHL season, it was presumed by many observers that Chicago Blackhawks star forward Jonathan Toews was going to be traded by the team. Alongside fellow Windy City icon Patrick Kane, Toews has been playing in the final season of his contract, and at age 34, he’s just not the right match for a Hawks team that is still in the early stages of a complete rebuild. The crossroads for him has been coming, and now, it’s more or less here.

However, while Kane was sent out of town with a deal to the New York Rangers at the trade deadline, Toews remains a Blackhawk. And the reasons for his continuing employment with the Hawks may ultimately mean the end of a Hockey Hall-of-Fame career.

Toews certainly hinted at retirement earlier this week, when he spoke with the media and was asked whether he’s feeling better after health concerns or whether he’s contemplating hanging up his skates.

“Both, if I’m being fully honest,” Toews said Tuesday. “I feel like I’ve said it already, that I’ve gotten to the point where my health is more important.

“When you’re young and you’re playing for a Stanley Cup and everyone’s playing through something, that means something and it’s worthwhile. But I’m at that point where it feels like more damage is being done than is a good thing.”

If that sounds like someone who is nearing the end of a 15-year NHL career, that’s because it’s exactly what that is. 

Toews was skating with the team this week and may play again before the Blackhawks’ season concludes, but he has been out of the Hawks’ lineup since Jan. 28. And he provided more insight into his health woes when he made an official statement on Feb. 19 that he was on the sidelines because of the effects of Chronic Immune Response Syndrome – a malady that causes fatigue and debilitating inflammation – and long COVID.

“It’s definitely on my mind that this could be my last few weeks here as a Blackhawk,” Toews said. “It’s definitely very important for me to go out there and enjoy the game and just kind of soak it in and just really appreciate everything I’ve been able to be part of here in Chicago.”

Whether or not he returns to NHL action next season or retires, Toews almost assuredly will not be back with the Hawks. And the end of Toews’ days in Chicago marks the end of one of the great athlete-city relationships in the Modern Era. He loved the Hawks, and Hawks fans loved him back.

He wasn't a massive point-producer – in his best season on offense, he generated 81 points in 82 games – but at his peak, Toews was always an important point-producer. 

He was named the best player at the 2010 Olympics. He won a Frank J. Selke Trophy as the game’s best defensive forward, and he won a Conn Smythe Trophy as the NHL’s playoff MVP. He’s the youngest-achieving player in the Triple Gold Club, winning a Stanley Cup, Olympic gold medal and an IIHF World Championship gold by the time he was 22 years old. And of course, three Cups. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more decorated hockey veteran than that.

Toews hasn't had to prove anything to anyone for a very long time. From his first NHL days, he has been an elite all-around player and a solid citizen off the ice. Now, the only focus should be his well-being. Whether his career continues next year or not, we're talking about a first-ballot HHOFer. The game will be lesser when he’s no longer playing it.