Jonathan Toews' future still unclear, won't sign anywhere on July 1st

PUBLICATION

Cooper Godin
June 24, 2023 (8:17)

SHARE THIS STORY

It was the end of an era in Chicago when the Blackhawks announced in April that captain Jonathan Toews won't be returning to the organization and that he'll become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career.

Toews has been dealing with some health issues over the last few seasons after being diagnosed with chronic immune response syndrome, which caused him to miss the entire 2020-21 campaign.

The Winnipeg native continued to deal with the effects during the 2022-23 season, missing the all games in February and March, but was healthy enough to return for Chicago's final seven games of the regular season.

According to Frank Seravalli, Toews' agent Pat Brisson says that his client is still undecided whether or not he wants to continue his playing career and won't be signing when free agency opens on Canada Day.

"Jonathan Toews is deliberating his future. His agent, Pat Brisson of CAA, said on Thursday that Toews will not be a Day 1 signing next Saturday when free agency opens on July 1 at noon ET. Instead, Toews needs to first determine whether he'd like to continue playing. There are quite a few teams interested in that answer." Seravalli said.

The 35-year-old has spent his entire 15-year career with the Chicago Blackhawks, joining them in the 2007-08 season after spending two seasons at the University of North Dakota. During his time with the Blackhawks, Toews led the team to three Stanley Cup championships in 2010, 2013 and 2015. His international resume also speaks for itself too, two Olympic gold medals, two World Junior gold medals, a World Championship gold medal, as well as a World Cup of Hockey title.

If Toews is unable to continue playing next season and decides to hang up the skates, it'll be sad to see him go, but there's no doubt that in a few years, he'll be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Source: Frank Seravalli - Daily Faceoff