CHICAGO – Jonathan Toews is struggling with long-term COVID symptoms, and the Chicago Blackhawks captain has indicated he will be taking time off to recover.
The 34-year-old forward has been on the sidelines since the All-Star Game break. He hasn’t played since a 7-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Jan. 28 and hasn’t practiced with the Blackhawks since they returned from their bye week on Feb. 5.
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“First and foremost, thank you to the fans and everyone else who worried regarding my absence,” Toews said in a statement. “I am still dealing with symptoms of long COVID and systemic inflammatory response syndrome.
“It was a real challenge to play despite these symptoms. In the past few weeks, I’ve reached a point where I’ve had no choice but to take a step back and focus on getting my health back. I am grateful for the patience and support of my teammates, the coaching staff and the entire Blackhawks organization. »
Toews was the subject of speculation as the March 3 trade deadline approached at 3 p.m. (ET). Him and Patrick Kanewho might be traded, are completing the final season of an eight-year contract signed on July 9, 2014.
“It’s interesting to hear some rumors,” Toews commented on Jan. 27. “These things are always funny and entertaining. I’ve never really found myself in this position in my career, so I’m grateful for that. My line of thinking has always been to focus on the present moment and keep my energies and my focus in that locker room and on my game. That doesn’t change. Obviously, people want to talk regarding the situation since the trade deadline is approaching. »
Toews and Kane won the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010, 2013 and 2015. They played their 1,000th game as teammates in a 7-1 loss to the New York Rangers on Dec. 18.
Toews missed the entire 2020-21 season due to what he called systemic inflammatory response syndrome.
Named captain of the Blackhawks on July 18, 2008, Toews won the Conn-Smythe Trophy as the team’s most valuable player in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2010 and the Mark-Messier Trophy for leadership in 2015. The third overall pick in the 2006 draft is third in Chicago with 28 points (14 goals, 14 assists) in 46 games this season. He has 880 points (371 goals, 509 assists) in 1,060 regular season games.
The Blackhawks (17-32-5) take on the Toronto Maple Leafs at United Center on Sunday (6 p.m. ET; TVAS, SNO, HULU, ESPN+).
