Listening to guys on Sportsnet last night, they are talking like Toews isn't even close to returning. Hopefully it's just because they missed Toews and Q's latest comments.
However, I must admit that when Toews declared that he must be honest with himself, that gives me an uneasy feeling that he isn't quite symptom free yet.
We certainly don't have an easy schedule down the stretch but I would rather Toews sit (as Monty as well) and be back for a difficult round 1 than come back too early and be less than 100%.
I have a sense that the post-season (at least round 1) will see in increase in calls for obstruction penalties (similar to the last two years where PPs actually went up in round 1) and the Hawks will be at a slight advantage against teams like St. Louis, Nashville, Phoenix, LA or Dallas and a slight disadvantage against other speed teams that actually have working special teams.
Having a healthy and energized Toews and Monty will be critical against any team deploying only a single forechecker (yes, that's code). Similarly, the young legs in Shaw and Hayes will be critical like we saw with Hayes last night in his 1 on 3 vs the NYR.
Anyway, hope he's recovering and if he's out past our next bout with STL I have no issues with that.
Listening to guys on Sportsnet last night, they are talking like Toews isn't even close to returning. Hopefully it's just because they missed Toews and Q's latest comments.
However, I must admit that when Toews declared that he must be honest with himself, that gives me an uneasy feeling that he isn't quite symptom free yet.
Well he's been practicing with the team so that's a pretty big step. Hopefully he'll be cleared for contact within the next week or so and then there might be some light at the end of the tunnel. But really nobody can really know how close or far away he is from returning.
Toews says he hopes to be back for the game against the Blues. I'd let him wait until Dallas. Don't want his first game back to be against a team like that.
Toews says he hopes to be back for the game against the Blues. I'd let him wait until Dallas. Don't want his first game back to be against a team like that.
The Blues will tear him to shreds, we all know that. Dallas is less of a threat to his long-term health. (Blues fans'll love me after this post, Dallas fans, or lack thereof, not so much.) As much as I'd love him to come back against a division rival, if that rival isn't Columbus then you shouldn't toy with a Central Division team first game back from a concussion.
The Blues will tear him to shreds, we all know that. Dallas is less of a threat to his long-term health. (Blues fans'll love me after this post, Dallas fans, or lack thereof, not so much.) As much as I'd love him to come back against a division rival, if that rival isn't Columbus then you shouldn't toy with a Central Division team first game back from a concussion.
The "hits" stat isn't a great one, but the Stars are ranked 3rd in it and the Blues are 13th.
At the very least, both are extremely physical teams. I want Toews back as soon as he's completely healthy, and exactly then. Whether it's the Blues, Stars, or someone else doesn't really matter. If he's healthy, he's healthy.
Blues have guys like Jackman and Backes. Stars just hit you, they headhunt you
Eh, really? Jackman crosses the line occasionally but Backes is one of the cleanest physical players in the NHL. As with anyone who hits a lot, some of his hits are going to be a bit more dangerous that probably intended.
Don't care if Toews plays this year. Even if he's at 95% come playoff time (assuming we're in the playoffs), I'd rather see him sit out and fully recover then even run the most minute chances of reaggravating his injury.
If he gets back to 100% before the end of the season, fantastic.... put him back in. Not a moment before he's back to that level, though.
