The Blackhawks will be without their captain for a back-to-back weekend slate.
The Chicago Blackhawks may be back from the NHL All-Star break, but Jonathan Toews remains sidelined. After missing Tuesday's game against Anaheim due to a non-COVID illness, the Hawks' captain will sit out Friday against Arizona and Saturday at Winnipeg.
Due to the All-Star break and his recent illness, Toews has not skated with the team in almost two weeks. However, he was back in the gym Thursday and head coach Luke Richardson said it "looks like he was feeling good after the workout."
Toews has missed three games this season due to illness, and that total will jump to five after this weekend's slate. His absence certainly affects the Blackhawks on the ice, but it also has implications for the front office.
The NHL trade deadline is exactly three weeks away, and Jonathan Toews' future is still very much up in the air. Teams engaging in trade talks with Kyle Davidson already have concerns about Patrick Kane's hip injury, and Toews' illness could represent another obstacle at the deadline.
For now, the Chicago Blackhawks have no choice but to trudge forward without their captain as they'll be back in action Friday against the Arizona Coyotes. Puck drop is at 7:30 PM CT and the game will air on NBC Sports Chicago.
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