Jonathan Toews admits NHL career may be over

It's no secret that the Chicago Blackhawks are once again in period of darkness in their franchise. That much was officially confirmed when the team decided to trade popular goal scoring forward Alex DeBrincat to the Ottawa Senators during the offseason as well as letting Kirby Dach and Dominik Kubalik depart; meanwhile, franchise icons Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane entered this season on the final year of their hefty 8-year deals that carry AAV's of $10.5 million.

The Blackhawks have already made the choice to move on from Kane, sending him to the Eastern Conference contending New York Rangers at the NHL Trade Deadline earlier this month, officially marking the end of an era in the Windy City. And according to this recently released report, the page may be turning on the chapter of Toews as well. 

Toews hasn't suited up since late January, an explained that he is dealing with with long-COVID symptoms as well as Chronic Immune Response Syndrome; both illnesses caused him to miss the entire shortened 2021 NHL season. And it sounds as though that his career could be coming to an end. 

Earlier this year, Toews admitted that this has been the most trying campaign of his career. 

"It's definitely been challenging this year," he said. "But I'd say last year was really difficult in the way that we had much higher expectations."

"It has been really challenging to play through these symptoms," Toews said. "In the last few weeks, it has reached the point where I had no choice but to step back and concentrate on getting healthy. I am thankful for the patience and support of my teammates, the coaching staff, and the entire Blackhawks organization."

The Blackhawks are in full rebuild mode, and it looks as though the last and most iconic member from their glory days is on the verge of departing.