Toews returns, says Kane trade was “shocking” to him
Uh... have you not been paying attention, Jonny?
HockeyFeed
With Jonathan Toews on the IR the past month and a half and with Patrick Kane traded to the New York Rangers, the Chicago Blackhawks recently played their first game in 16 years without at least one of the two franchise icons in the lineup.
Indeed, it's the end of an era in Chicago and it's apparent to everyone around the NHL. Except to Toews himself, it appears.
Toews returned to practice with his team today after spending the past six weeks on the IR and for the first time since the NHL's trade deadline, he made a public comment on the Patrick Kane trade. Incredibly, Toews says he was "shocked" by the trade, despite the fact that it was rumored for literally months beforehand.
I'll agree that Kane looks good in a Ranger uniform, but the same could be said for his Blackhawks uniform too. The fact is that the NHL's original six teams have the best look in game, but I digress...
I'm honestly not sure I can buy what Toews is selling here. There's no way that he was truly "shocked" when Kane was traded. We all knew it was going to happen. You'd have to be delusional or simply disingenuous to believe otherwise. Again, it's the end of an era in Chicago and with free agency looming for the 34 year old Toews, you have to imagine that he'll ride off into the sunset this offseason to officially end the "Kane & Toews" era for the Blackhawks.
Toews was asked about potentially retiring as a Blackhawk this summer and, honestly, he gave a pretty insightful answer:
“Regardless of what happens in the future this summer, it’s definitely on my mind that this could be my last few weeks here in Chicago as a Blackhawk.”
- Jonathan Toews
More from the captain:
Honestly, who would blame Toews if he walked away from the game this summer?
He's a three time Stanley Cup champion, a two time Olympic gold medalist and one of the most respected players of his generation. His body is failing him and he has nothing to prove to anyone in the hockey world. Take a bow, Jonny... you've done well.
