Jonathan Toews Says That The Rebuild Plan Doesn't Interest Him At All
It was hard for me to read these quotes. I feel like Toews is almost a forgotten player. Perhaps it was the year off. Perhaps it's the lack of team success. Perhaps it was covid. Maybe it was his production and the way he looked on the ice, but he's been hardly talked about when it comes to the Blackhawks and the future and legacies. Every conversation has been around Kane, Kane, Kane and I understand why, but I love Jonathan Toews. There aren't too many players in sports who are worthy of getting a statue built of them and Toews is definitely in that category. Hull and Mikita have statues. Toews, Kane, Keith should also share one. The fact that fans and media are seemingly brushing him aside hasn't sat right with me even if I am guilty of it too. I want Jonathan Toews to finish his career in Chicago, whenever that may be.
Toews seems upset with the trading of Hagel, Debrincat, and Dach. The reality is that the Hawks ran the experiment of a veteran team and those three guys. They tried to build a roster that could sneak into the playoffs last year. It didn't work. I still believe that the scandal and the coaching killed the season and if they had gotten off to a decent start maybe they'd be more competitive. The reality is though that they won a single game in regulation last year against a team that would go on to make the playoffs. They beat the Oilers 4-1 and Edmonton was so disgusted with losing to the Hawks that they fired their coach the next day. When you have a season like that and you're entering the final year of contracts for Toews and Kane it is clear that changes are needed and time is up.
Time is definitely up now and the Blackhawks rebuild has begun. Sounds very much like Toews would welcome a trade. I think the Blackhawks would grant it. I just don't think there's a taker for him right now. Not a good team anyways. Nobody can afford the $10.5M cap hit and I've been told that there isn't a trade market for him right now even if the Blackhawks retain 50% of his contract. So he isn't going anywhere in the immediate future. He will probably have to run down his deal and then try his hand at free agency if he wants to leave.
It wasn't all doom and gloom from the captain though. He had this to say about you and me
"I learned to really love the game again and find the joy in it, and to play with energy, play with passion, play at a high level. I feel like I still have so much to give to this team and to the game, and I’m excited to show that not only to myself, but to everybody"
“Luke’s message is we’re going to work hard, we’re going to be prepared, we’re going to play as a team, and we’re going to go out there and try to win every single game,” Toews said. “I’m really excited to have a chance to play for Luke.”
In summation: he loves us, he loves Chicago, he loves the organization, he loves the game again, and he loves Luke Richardson. That run of statements makes me think that he has a chip on his shoulder and wants to get back to being a legitimate top 6 center who brings value to the team every night. Like he's been refreshed.
And while Davidson says that this is a 5 year rebuild...that is setting low expectations. I think it can go faster than that, but the Blackhawks will have to get lucky in the lottery. I really believe Bedard changes everything. He is that dynamic and that talented. He expedites everything.
The Blackhawks just drafted 3 guys in the first round. I really believe Nazar and Korchinski can be NHLers in 18 months. Bedard is likely on a roster opening night 2023. That group with Toews, Kane, Jones, Reichel, Vlasic, and maybe even a Wyatt Kaiser should be very exciting even if they're aren't good in 2023. I think that would be the ultimate selling point for Toews and Kane to stay. Like..."hey...no matter where you you're not going to be guaranteed a Cup or success. Stay here. Stay home. Play for Luke. Grow these next stars. Make them better. Entice free agents to come here summer of 2024."
Toews can be the Captain and sort of play that Joe Thornton role as he ages as the elder statesman and then the Hawks are back in the playoffs in 2024-25. That sounds like a good path and a good story to me. Those things are plausible. I LOVE Adam Fantilli too at the top of next year's draft, but as much as I love him I don't think he accelerates a rebuild the way Bedard does. This whole thing is built around getting Bedard. If it ain't him then I think 19 and probably 88 walk in free agency and I will have a single tear rolling down my cheek with a smile on my face thinking about the golden era as I wave goodbye to my favorite players ever. This is an inside straight rebuild the way I've said all along. I believe we are on the right path with or without Bedard and the possibilities that come with him. I just want to do with 19 and 88 in the fold.