The Rangers should absolutely kick the tires on the possibility of trading for Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, given the Hawks' sudden change of direction.
Mirroring the Rangers' Feb. 2018 letter declaring their intention to rebuild, the Blackhawks posted a similar statement about their club on Tuesday.
"We're committed to developing young players and rebuilding our roster," the open letter read. "We want more than another window to win; we want to reach the summit again and stay there – an effort that will require a stockpile of emerging talent to complement our top players. The influx of youth and their progression will provide roster flexibility and depth throughout our lineup."
Though Chicago plans to return to the level of Stanley Cup contenders, the process could take several years. At age 32, Toews has plenty of strong individual seasons ahead of him – but can he afford spending the remainder of his prime on a fading team that has failed to make the playoffs in two of the past three seasons and has already begun shedding familiar names?
Already, two players who helped Chicago win Stanley Cups in 2013 and 2015 have gone elsewhere, as scoring wing Brandon Saad was shipped to the Colorado Avalanche and goaltender Corey Crawford signed on with the New Jersey Devils. Despite general manager Stan Bowman stating the organization's desire to rebuild around Toews, the prospect of playing alongside a supporting cast largely made up of unproven youngsters might not be appealing to a three-time Stanley Cup-winning captain.
Toews possesses full no-trade protection, meaning he can name his destination. Previously, Rick Nash and Martin St. Louis pulled power moves to ensure their landing spot was 33rd Street and 7th Avenue. If Toews were to swap the "Madhouse on Madison" for Madison Square Garden, he would be joining a Rangers team that is equipped to join the Eastern Conference's powerhouses.
The Blueshirts need to add a dominant center who is capable of forming a dynamic one-two punch with Mika Zibanejad. Stanley Cup winning teams are built with strength down the middle. The Rangers also need to identify a captain who can teach a youthful roster how to walk, talk, and skate like champions. Toews' ability and accomplishments fit the bill.
For Toews, an opportunity to play in New York would allow him to remain in a large market and enhance his legacy. He's already got three championship rings to his name – but if he comes to New York and replicates Mark Messier's raising of Lord Stanley on Garden ice, his name is going to be etched into the stratosphere. Even though Toews was age six when the Blueshirts ended a 54-year Stanley Cup drought, all Canadians raised on hockey recognize the 1994 curse-breaking Rangers as one of the greatest moments in NHL history.
Who wouldn't want to be the next Rangers captain after Messier to break a decades-long Stanley Cup wait?
As long as Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, Adam Fox, Igor Shesterkin, Kaapo Kakko, and Alexis Lafreniere aren't part of the package, Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton should make every effort to acquire Toews as the centerpiece for a Broadway revival.
Follow Sean Hartnett on Twitter: @HartnettHockey
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