(670 The Score) Less than 36 hours after the Blackhawks’ season ended in unspectacular fashion Monday night, one of the key topics in looking ahead to next season was the possible return of star Jonathan Toews.
Speaking to media Wednesday morning, Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman outlined the latest on Toews' situation after he missed the entire 2021 season due to an undisclosed medical issue.
“I talked to Jonathan a couple weeks ago, he’s doing well,” Bowman said. “We had a good chat. We talked for about 15-20 minutes about a lot of things – our team, but just non-hockey stuff too. So it was good to connect with him and catch up. I think that’s the update that I have, I don’t have anything more than that.”
In late December, Toews and the Blackhawks revealed in a statement that he would be out indefinitely due to an undisclosed illness that included symptoms that “have left me feeling drained and lethargic,” Toews said. Toews added he was “working with doctors so I can better understand my condition.” In April, Darren Dreger of TSN reported Toews' health was improving and that he should return for the 2021-'22 season.
Bowman wouldn’t go that far Wednesday but did say the team was "hopeful" that the three-time Stanley Cup champion could return.
“We’re hopeful he’ll be back, but we’ll just let it play out and see,” he said. “It’s a bit of uncharted waters here. The situation came up, and we’re just sort of taking it as it comes. So, when we have more information, we’ll pass that along. But I don’t have another update on that right now.”
Toews last played at the end of the 2019-'20 season, when he notched 60 points (18 goals, 42 assists) in 70 games. Toews is a four-time All-Star.
Cam Ellis is a writer for 670 The Score and Audacy Sports. Follow him on Twitter @KingsleyEllis.