When Brandon Hagel, a 23-year-old forward signed and developed by the Chicago Blackhawks was traded last week, it showed just how serious general manager Kyle Davidson is in his attempt to rebuild the organization. The team is expected to sell off many of its biggest assets and build through the draft, having already acquired several high draft picks in recent days.
The obvious question that surfaced is what does the future hold for Blackhawks’ icons Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, who have spent their entire careers with Chicago and are scheduled to reach unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2023.
After calling the situation “pretty discouraging” recently, the captain was asked by Phillip Thompson of the Chicago Tribune specifically about the direction of the franchise today, and how he felt about his future in Chicago:
I wouldn’t say it makes me question [my future with the team] as much as like…you know for the longest time the thought never entered my mind to ever leave Chicago. In this case you can’t help but picture yourself and what it would be like to play for another team and just what that experience would bring. The thought pops into your mind obviously but again, Chicago’s my home, I love the Blackhawks, I love the organization. It’s been my family for a long time and I’m not putting the cart before the horse or getting ahead of myself.
Toews has gone through a dreadful couple of years when it comes to his hockey career, missing all of the 2020-21 season and posting his worst offensive campaign in 2021-22. He has just eight goals and 25 points through 52 games, numbers that put well behind what is expected of a $10.5MM cap hit. There was always more than just offense to Toews’ game, but it also seems likely that even with resurgent personal play in the 2022-23 season, he wouldn’t see the playoffs again before this contract is over if he plays it out in Chicago.
While Kane is still producing at an All-Star level with 71 points in 59 games, Toews’ struggles would make trading him a difficult task even if he decided to waive his no-move clause and go somewhere else. It should be noted, however, that despite currently retaining salary on two players, both of those will expire before the 2022-23 campaign, meaning Chicago could potentially lower a cap hit substantially if they do end up moving their franchise icons.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Dude isn’t sure if the only team that is willing to roster him (out of sheer loyalty) is good enough for him anymore.
Irony.
Absolutely nobody is taking that albatross of a contract. No way, no how. $10.5 million for a guy who when he’s actually healthy is really only a good third line centre?
Yeah one of the better defensive forwards in the last 15 years is a glorified third line centre lol. This coming from a guy who’s done nothing at the level tires has done haha
Toews*
Dude I’m a Hawks fan and love toews but if you think he is anything more than a really good 3rd line center at this point, you certainly shouldn’t be running a hockey team
Sad state of affairs that things have gotten this far. Toews sure doesn’t sound like he wants to be in Chicago anymore, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Hawks are just ready to move on as well. If the Hawks eat half, can they find a trade partner over the summer? If not, I think he’s stuck there another year because buying him out doesn’t make sense from the team’s perspective.
If the Hawks eat half of his salary, Toews is STILL overpaid — even in the skates of GMs of teams with plenty of cap space, what’s the incentive of Detroit, or Ottawa, or Columbus to take him off of the Blackhawks’ hands? So that they can overpay an over-the-hill player, who’s ALREADY a malcontent because he’s playing declining minutes for a lousy team?
Nah. Chicago would have to bribe a team to do that, and if they’re ditching guys like Hagel (WTH??) for picks, they sure aren’t going to give those picks away just so someone will take Toews’ contract off of their hands.
Devils could take both Kane and Toews.
Lol hands off Kane, he wants an extension so he can retire as the Hawks all time leader in points and the Hawks should oblige him.
He’s got his work cut out for him then. Presuming he (a) stays healthy, and (b) doesn’t decline a bit, he’s still at least four seasons away from catching Stan Mikita, and he’ll be 37 by then. That’s a tall mountain to climb. (Granted, Kane’s still playing at a high level.)
JT! You aren’t talking like a captain, you are saying how you feel publicly. It’s human to feel that way, but as a captain, you aren’t helping the organization and your teammates by displaying your frustrations and bewilderment. In the end, by doing this you are becoming part of the culture problem with the team. Call a Captain that you respect and ask for constructive criticism about your comments. Then, get some feedback on how you should better approach the media.
Perhaps new leadership has excluded Toews from the discussion as he is out in no longer than a year with the Hawks.
Well … Chicago has no one to blame but themselves, handing out max term and superstar money to a player who’s never been better than Hall of Very Good status. Nor is it astonishing that a player in his thirties is in decline.
Loaded question with an abnormal response from Toews. Is this going to be the continued breaking news cycle now for the rest of the year and next until his contract expires?! Dude isn’t getting traded because of his contract and loyalty to the organization. Move along nothing to see here.
Toews is a shadow of his former self. Chicago would be lucky to get a second or 3rd round draft pick for him now to go somewhere and play on their second or 3rd line. Kane still has trade value but Toews not so much. Sad decline to a great career.