Former Blackhawks Captain Jonathan Toews Could Sit Out 2023-24 Season

There's no solid indication that longtime Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews is retiring just yet, but there are rumblings that Toews isn't playing this season. Frank Seravalli spoke briefly about the situation on the DFO Rundown and also noted, "you don't know what the itch is like in October/November."

Toews has played 15 seasons and over 1000 games in the past 16 years, only missing the 2020-21 season. He has only ever known Chicago, but if he decides to play, he will have to find a new team. There is the possibility that a team signs him or he has to go on a PTO somewhere. The latter is less likely because of how established he is and because he scored 15 goals and 31 points in 53 games last season.

Teams like the Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets have been linked to him because of ties, but it is also entirely possible that he sits out a bit (or even the full year) like he did in 2020-21 to recover fully and get a clear picture of if he wants to continue playing. He has won a ton in his career and doesn't have anything more to accomplish if he does decide to hang the skates up. I believe he will be a big piece at a very cheap price for whoever decides to sign him if he plays.