I know this will probably get moved but it's hot off the press and I thought people would miss it if jumbled in with the reast...
Quote:
DETROIT -- The hope was to get Jonathan Toews back for at least one game before the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but that's not going to happen for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Chicago's top center and captain is still experiencing symptoms from a concussion and will miss his 22nd straight game Saturday afternoon in Detroit (1 p.m., NBC, TSN2) when the regular season concludes.
I'm sure he'll be back for Game 1. They are just being cautious. It's one less game for him to get potentially banged up in. It will also allow Jonathan to be more comfortable if he still feels good by then.
A concussed Toews is still a better player than a healthy Thornton. The hockey gods already have it out for that perrenial loser anyway so I'm not sure if any retribution by the Hawks would even be necessary. Toews has already accomplished more than Joe ever will.
I'm sure he'll be back for Game 1. They are just being cautious. It's one less game for him to get potentially banged up in. It will also allow Jonathan to be more comfortable if he still feels good by then.
But he says that he gets symptoms when he plays.
I don't think he'll be back for the start of the playoffs...and probably not at all this year.
Reading this interview, honestly, it doesn't sound like he's all there. I don't think he will be back this year. If he does come back I expect another quick exit.
Sucks for the Hawks and any possibility of going far in the playoffs. It's just my gut though.
Reading this interview, honestly, it doesn't sound like he's all there. I don't think he will be back this year. If he does come back I expect another quick exit.
Sucks for the Hawks and any possibility of going far in the playoffs. It's just my gut though.
Agreed. Saw the same thing happen to Crosby when he first came back this year...played a few games then missed another large chunk of time..and I know Sid and JT text each other so I'm sure that will make JT all the more cautious.
And truth be told, this team is not set up to win a cup this year anyways. Yes they've played well with out him but the playoffs are an entirely other animal.
Agreed. Saw the same thing happen to Crosby when he first came back this year...played a few games then missed another large chunk of time..and I know Sid and JT text each other so I'm sure that will make JT all the more cautious.
And truth be told, this team is not set up to win a cup this year anyways. Yes they've played well with out him but the playoffs are an entirely other animal.
Agreed. It would be a major success to get out of the 1st round. Definitely no cup shot this year, even with Toews.
CHICAGO -- Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews practiced Monday with the top line of Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa for the first time since Feb. 19 as the team prepared for its first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Coyotes which begins on Thursday.
Toews missed the final 22 games of the season as he recovered from a concussion. His status for Thursday's series opener is uncertain.
I wouldnt rush him back the team showed it could win games without him. not to rag on the Yotes, but i think the hawks can beat them without Toews, unlike some of the other western conference teams that scare the hell out of me.
CHICAGO -- Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews won't decide until Thursday if he'll play in Game 1 of Chicago's Western Conference quarterfinal playoff series against the Phoenix Coyotes.
But all signs are pointing to Toews returning for the playoffs Thursday from a concussion which sidelined him for the final 22 regular season games.
"Wanted to err on the cautious side by me not playing (at the end of the regular season)," Toews said after practice on Monday. "I'm feeling more confident Thursday might be the day but we'll see."
When asked directly if he would play in Game 1, Toews responded, "I'm not sure about that yet. We still have a few days. Being on a line with (Patrick) Kane and (Marian) Hossa was a good feeling. I felt good today. Like I said, I keep progressing. We'll see come Thursday."
Toews centered the two stars with Kane moving to left wing, a position he hasn't played in several years. Kane's move there is a further indication Toews is ready to return.
Toews acknowledged there might be some rust to his game.
"Probably a little bit but hopefully it doesn't last too long," he said. "Whenever I make that commitment, I'll have that mindset where I want to keep it simple and just go out there and play a gritty game. The key is not trying to do too much."
The Blackhawks were 13-5-4 without Toews in the lineup as they secured the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference. Coach Joel Quenneville says it's up to Toews if he's ready to play.
"We're hopeful that's the case," Quenneville said. "We put him on a line there today thinking that if he does play that's where he will play. ... Organizationally, there is all the hurdles to cross along the way and he's passed them all. We'll visit with him as we go along the next few days."
