The Blackhawks may not be finished with the reunion tour just yet.
One day after officially bringing back Patrick Kane, general manager Kyle Davidson said Chicago would like to give Jonathan Toews the same kind of farewell the franchise once arranged for Marian Hossa: a one-day contract so Toews can retire as a Blackhawk.
“We did it with (former striker) Marian Hossa. Nothing is set in stone, but we would like to follow the same path.”
Davidson made the comments Thursday while speaking alongside Kane, and he was careful not to call anything done. Still, he made it clear this is more than a passing thought. He said the team hopes to have news to share later and sounded confident the organization can make it happen.
Toews has already shown he’s on board with Kane’s return. In a text message, he said he was happy for his longtime teammate and added that he was a little jealous Kane gets to skate for Chicago again.
“Awesome news, pretty cool to see him get the chance to go back. The team is heading in the right direction and he’ll bring such good experience and leadership for the young guys in that room.
(It) will be cool for the young stars to see first-hand what impact they can have when Kaner gets back on the ice at the United Center. We were texting and as happy as l am for him I told him I’m straight-up jealous that he’s gonna get to play for the Hawks again.”
Toews retired on June 19 after spending a comeback season with the Winnipeg Jets, his hometown team, following two years away from hockey because of health issues. Before that, he played 15 seasons in Chicago after the Blackhawks selected him third overall in 2006.
He wore the captain’s “C” and helped lead the team to Stanley Cup titles in 2010, 2013 and 2015 with Kane. He also ranks among the franchise leaders in points, goals, assists and games played, and he won two Olympic gold medals with Canada.
Chicago did not offer Toews a new contract after the 2022-23 season, and his final home game that April ended with a standing ovation that felt like a goodbye before the goodbye. He got another emotional reception in January when Winnipeg came to the United Center.
Davidson said the organization wants to honor Toews the way fans already have, and he noted how meaningful it would be to see him back in a Blackhawks sweater alongside Kane’s No. 88.
For now, there’s no timetable. But with Kane back in Chicago and both sides sounding open to it, the path to one more Blackhawks chapter for Toews looks wide open.
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Around the league, there is no shortage of veteran names who could become available if their current situations keep drifting the wrong way. Erik Karlsson is entering the final year of his deal in Pittsburgh, and the Penguins may have to decide whether to move him or let the season play out without a new contract, while Vladislav Gavrikovs frustration with the Rangers direction has also been part of the chatter. For Chicago, the bigger story is less about those possibilities than the rare chance to settle an old emotional debt with one of its own. [Read more 🡒]