A recent report from Mark Spector of SportsNet has been making the rounds in Chicago today.
When CAA agency sent its list of free agents to NHL teams prior to July 1, the list excluded client Jonathan Toews.
It does not sound, at this time, like he will play next season. Final decision not yet made. https://t.co/gGtFZcgUlM— Mark Spector🇨🇦🇺🇦 (@SportsnetSpec) July 7, 2023
The fact he wasn’t included on the list of free agents certainly feels telling, and when coupled with a lack of news regarding his desire to continue playing it’s pretty easy to come to the conclusion that his playing days are over.
Toews is 35 years-old and he’s dealt with significant health issues the last few years – including missing 29 games last season – so it was never a guarantee that he’d play next year at all, whether that be for the Blackhawks or any other team.
The Blackhawks officially closed the door on a possible return before last season ended, sending Toews out in style with a final, celebratory home game at The United Center.
Dave Melton
Jonathan Toews was named the Chicago Blackhawks’ 34th team captain in 2008 and if he indeed is done, he’d become only the fourth player in the history of the franchise to spend his entire career in Chicago while appearing in more than 1,000 games for the team (joining Brent Seabrook, Stan Mikita and Bob Murray).
I’m sure we’ll have a lot more to say after we hear from Toews himself.