CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 27: Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago
Blackhawks awaits a face-off against the New York Islanders at the
United Center on December 27, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Islanders 5-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
The Chicago Blackhawks are hoping to be a much better team in 2021-22. They made some big additions like Marc-Andre Fleury, Seth Jones, and Tyler Johnson that should really help them be better. However, as good as those guys are going to be, the biggest key to this team’s success this year is going to be the play of Jonathan Toews.
Toews missed all of 2020-21 due to health issues but he is back and looking to make an impact. It is fair to be concerned with his health after what he went through but it sounds like he is ready and excited to be back this year.
Mark Lazerus covers the Chicago Blackhawks for The Athletic. He put out a couple of tweets with information that he gathered about Toews and his status that should get fans excited. It sounds like Toews feels good, looks good, and is ready to play some hockey this year.
I know that feeds into the “best shape of my life!” camp cliche, but it’s particularly important with Toews. We have no idea how his body will react to playing again. I have to think NBA-style load management will (and should) be a strong consideration. But so far, so good.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) September 20, 2021
Lazerus makes a good point about the NBA-style load management for Jonathan Toews. It might be good for him, at least in the early stages of the season, to ease his way into the season. We know what he is capable of when he is on top of his game. Being a top line centerman in the NHL is not easy and Toews is one of those when he is at his best.
The Chicago Blackhawks need Jonathan Toews at full strength in 2021-22.
After the NHL came back from the COVID-19 pause, Toews was Chicago’s best player in the bubble. He showed that he still has the ability to take over games. That is also the last time that we saw him play as he missed all of last year.
These reports about Toews are good for lineup depth. With Kirby Dach and Tyler Johnson there, the Blackhawks have the potential to be very dangerous down the middle of the ice. We know that Tyler Johnson is a fine middle six center and Dach is still developing. If Dach reaches his full potential, he has the chance to be a top-level center just like Toews.
What exactly does Toews bring on a personal level? Well, he has been one of the game’s best all around centers over the past decade. He scores a lot, creates for his teammates, and is amazing in his own end.
Because of these skills, he has a Selke Trophy, three Stanley Cups, and a Conn Smythe Trophy on his resume. Toews might not be in his prime anymore but he can still be very good at all of these things which would help the Blackhawks win a lot of games. The early reports of his status are a great sign of that happening.
