He gets paid the same regardless of what team he is on, or what he is asked/required to do. He could go to a couple different places and be under a bit less pressure/scrutiny.
- Chunk

Yeah, but he can slack on this team because he's "earned it."

Same here. I'd be shocked.

I still think people are bent out of shape too much about Toews. A guy who typically scored at about a 70 point pace has been scoring at a 60 point pace. He lacked some finish on his chances but they were there. In the last two seasons, when paired with an effective winger he was scoring at about a point per game. (Schmaltz/Kane)

A lot of the Hawks wingers (DeBrincat, Hinostroza, Saad, Duclair) had their most effective 5v5 play (Better Scoring Chance differentials and goal differentials) when lining up with Toews. That is while often lining up against the other teams better players.

Fix the D issues, get an actually effective 3C to play some shutdown minutes and put Toews with legit top 6 wingers and he will perform pretty much at his career average IMO.
- breadbag

100% agree. Those bashing Toews and wanting to run him out of town don't know what the F they are talking about, and are just spewing nonsense...

100% agree. Those bashing Toews and wanting to run him out of town don't know what the F they are talking about, and are just spewing nonsense...
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Not sure people want to run him out, but he has really vanished the last 3 years. Don't know if its injuries, training regime or what. He is easily knocked off the puck when he used to be a tank. The guy could go to the corner. Find the puck. Win it and create a scoring chance.

We all agree he looks very thin and not the brick he used to be. I think Q needs to adjust the scheme. Cant run/gun like days of old. I truly hope the core comes back with focus and anger this fall. With all the crazy a$$ rumors, some change is coming.

Not sure people want to run him out, but he has really vanished the last 3 years. Don't know if its injuries, training regime or what. He is easily knocked off the puck when he used to be a tank. The guy could go to the corner. Find the puck. Win it and create a scoring chance.

We all agree he looks very thin and not the brick he used to be. I think Q needs to adjust the scheme. Cant run/gun like days of old. I truly hope the core comes back with focus and anger this fall. With all the crazy a$$ rumors, some change is coming.
- z1990z

This exactly, those that think there is nothing wrong with Toews are walking around with kool aid blinders on.

100% agree. Those bashing Toews and wanting to run him out of town don't know what the F they are talking about, and are just spewing nonsense...
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Whatever buddy

Yeah, but he can slack on this team because he's "earned it."
- Murph76

Again, he can slack anywhere. His contract is guaranteed.

This exactly, those that think there is nothing wrong with Toews are walking around with kool aid blinders on.
- Murph76

Really not trying to be a nudge here, but I don’t think anyone’s is saying that there isn’t anything wrong with Toews. Regardless of how how off he has been the past few years, you have to admit he is still by far the best center we have on the team.

Really not trying to be a nudge here, but I don’t think anyone’s is saying that there isn’t anything wrong with Toews. Regardless of how how off he has been the past few years, you have to admit he is still by far the best center we have on the team.
- Chunk

I'll give you that, would still like a replacement however

Really not trying to be a nudge here, but I don’t think anyone’s is saying that there isn’t anything wrong with Toews. Regardless of how how off he has been the past few years, you have to admit he is still by far the best center we have on the team.
- Chunk

That speaks more to our C depth, than Toews remaining skill...

Really not trying to be a nudge here, but I don’t think anyone’s is saying that there isn’t anything wrong with Toews. Regardless of how how off he has been the past few years, you have to admit he is still by far the best center we have on the team.
- Chunk

Yup, the best looking car at a Yugo dealer is the way to go.

Not sure people want to run him out, but he has really vanished the last 3 years. Don't know if its injuries, training regime or what. He is easily knocked off the puck when he used to be a tank. The guy could go to the corner. Find the puck. Win it and create a scoring chance.

We all agree he looks very thin and not the brick he used to be. I think Q needs to adjust the scheme. Cant run/gun like days of old. I truly hope the core comes back with focus and anger this fall. With all the crazy a$$ rumors, some change is coming.
- z1990z

First of all, we know for a fact that he was dealing with a back injury for part of the last three years (IIRC, it was the front part of the last three years), but a year ago, the last part of the season he played pretty much close to his old self. This past year, he didn't have his best year, and he did seem to be pushed off the puck more than usual. I think he went to the extreme to try to slim down and get faster which affected his strength and balance this year. However, the whole team played very poorly, so I don't know why we concentrate so much on Toews this past year. To say he vanished for the past three years is completely untrue. I don't expect him to be the same player he was 10 years ago, but I do expect that he will have a bounce back season next year (with hopefully more consistent line mates).

Don't forget much more generous draft rules - much more generous to the expansion team - than in previous situations: VGK was general picking among the top 10 or 12 players on a roster (even better considering that players with NMC/NTC had to be part of the protected players).

League wide, they effectively were able to go after a lot of middle-6 F / 3-4-5 D skaters - plus, of course, Fleury.

If I were in Seattle and paying $650,000,000 to get into the league, I certainly would not accept anything less generous.
- StLBravesFan

That building is ridiculous (super old and pretty small) and in a horrible location for parking and transportation. I can't believe they're going to play a professional sport there.

They had a group that was willing to pay to build a stadium by Century Link and Safeco stadiums. Really bad move by the city there.

That building is ridiculous (super old and pretty small) and in a horrible location for parking and transportation. I can't believe they're going to play a professional sport there.

They had a group that was willing to pay to build a stadium by Century Link and Safeco stadiums. Really bad move by the city there.
- fattybeef

Are you talking about Key Arena? If so, yeah, I had a work conference in Seattle a few years back and remembered not only how tiny and old the building was but that the area just didn't seem lively. Then again, you could say the latter part about the United Center and Guaranteed Rate Field or whatever the Sox park is called now.

Really not trying to be a nudge here, but I don’t think anyone’s is saying that there isn’t anything wrong with Toews. Regardless of how how off he has been the past few years, you have to admit he is still by far the best center we have on the team.
- Chunk

World's Tallest Midget - World's Shortest Giant.

Question is - is he still a legitimate top line center?

Whatever buddy
- Murph76

Sorry Murph, wasn't trying to offend you or anyone for that matter. I just think we get a little over zealous with how critical we are of our team and players. I know that kind of goes with the territory of being a Chicago sports fan, but I am an optimist by nature, and always try to look for the positives.

I'll add this about Toews...at least he is trying to figure it out and get back to playing good hockey. Maybe he didn't go about it the right way last off season, but seeing as how smart and dedicated he is, I think he will figure it out before long.

Let me ask this, does anyone remember if he was better in the strength and balance department as the season closed out? I just don't remember him falling down and being pushed off the puck as much towards the end of the season, but maybe I just wasn't zeroing in on him enough, (I also wasn't paying as much attention to the games towards the end).

World's Tallest Midget - World's Shortest Giant.

Question is - is he still a legitimate top line center?
- StLBravesFan

All completley valid arguments (by everyone). I guess I’m just saying that if we are going to trade him, we better a replacement in place before doing so (not just hope that’s Tavares signed with us).

Are you talking about Key Arena? If so, yeah, I had a work conference in Seattle a few years back and remembered not only how tiny and old the building was but that the area just didn't seem lively. Then again, you could say the latter part about the United Center and Guaranteed Rate Field or whatever the Sox park is called now.
- AEL_Fox

Nah, the area is actually pretty affluent and there are some dope bars and good food that Queen Ann area. Killer taco place at the top of the hill.

Its just the way traffic flows around there, the lack of parking and inadequate public transportation make it a pain in the ass to get to. Plus the building is old and gross.

Nah, the area is actually pretty affluent and there are some dope bars and good food that Queen Ann area. Killer taco place at the top of the hill.

Its just the way traffic flows around there, the lack of parking and inadequate public transportation make it a pain in the ass to get to. Plus the building is old and gross.
- fattybeef

I thought the plan was to refurbish the building, and they can always add parking.

Sorry Murph, wasn't trying to offend you or anyone for that matter. I just think we get a little over zealous with how critical we are of our team and players. I know that kind of goes with the territory of being a Chicago sports fan, but I am an optimist by nature, and always try to look for the positives.

I'll add this about Toews...at least he is trying to figure it out and get back to playing good hockey. Maybe he didn't go about it the right way last off season, but seeing as how smart and dedicated he is, I think he will figure it out before long.

Let me ask this, does anyone remember if he was better in the strength and balance department as the season closed out? I just don't remember him falling down and being pushed off the puck as much towards the end of the season, but maybe I just wasn't zeroing in on him enough, (I also wasn't paying as much attention to the games towards the end).
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Ha, no worries my man! I try to be an optimist too, but JT just looks like a shadow of his former self and I (like everyone else I'm sure) just want what's best for our team and obviously to get the best bang for their buck...so to speak. As far as him falling down and being knocked off the puck, I don't recall if he was better at the end of the season or not.

100% agree. Those bashing Toews and wanting to run him out of town don't know what the F they are talking about, and are just spewing nonsense...
- ToewsdNKanefusd

One of the best post yet buddy, regarding this topic! I understand there are posters on this site like myself that invest in season tickets. But I think most of the bashing is coming from those that are either A) Metal table top or hockey card GM’s ,the closest they get to seeing the BLACKHAWKS’s from their couch on TV, or the juvenile age that don’t really understand. You really have to think this out, those old enough to remember what happened from the backlash when Bobby Hull was run out of town by the owner, the media and the fans have a tendency to do that sometime here in the city, and another’s. I would just leave well enough alone and let the Blackhawk hierarchy and Jonathan TOEWS figure it out By their selves. Other than his buddies up in the peg that see him regularly, he may be training real hard this summer and recommitting to having a better season next year. This is just one man’s opinion that is all. Everybody else is welcome to their own.

Nah, the area is actually pretty affluent and there are some dope bars and good food that Queen Ann area. Killer taco place at the top of the hill.

Its just the way traffic flows around there, the lack of parking and inadequate public transportation make it a pain in the ass to get to. Plus the building is old and gross.
- fattybeef

Nice to hear the area has a good dining and bar scene. The last time I was there was 2009 so a lot can happen in 9 years as far as redeveloping neighborhoods. Maybe it was always that way even back then. IIRC, I was in that area on a weekday morning so not much buzz besides tourists and people getting to wherever they need to be that day.

As for traffic flow being a possible issue, didn't the Atlanta Braves have a similar issue when they moved from a new stadium to an even newer stadium? I think it had to do with traffic issues. There may have been some turf wars, too, between counties or something like that.

100% agree. Those bashing Toews and wanting to run him out of town don't know what the F they are talking about, and are just spewing nonsense...
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Is that right? It is nonsensical to defend Toews play last season. He was the #1 Cap hit for a Centers in the NHL and the stats aren't pretty. BreadBag loves to defend Toews based on his PPG numbers, but what were his PPG numbers BEFORE Q had to save Saad and Toews by putting Kaner on his line??? I pulled the stats 2 months ago about Toews ranks among players in the NHL for points and he was 150+. For Centers only, he was in the 40+ rank for scoring. Sorry, but that is not even close to good enough for the Cap hit.

The argument BreadBag makes is that "he needs Legit Top 6 wingers to play with and then he will produce." That is a silly argument bc we all know that his cap hit (as well as Kane's) are the primary reason that Bowman cannot afford to have 2 legit top 6 wings on the team. Brandon Saad makes $6mil and is a legit top 6 wing....how did that work out for 19 + 20?

The PPG stats are deceiving bc he was racking up secondary assists and points when the truly Elite Superstar Patrick Kane was on his line to finish the season. In my analysis of Toews, it is less about the PPG, and more about the shift-to-shift impact. Creating offense, maintaining zone control, being a threat off the rush, being tough in 1v1 battles, ect. He looked slow, weak, and with poor puck control/dangles all season. Brandon Saad forgot how to stickhandle and shoot, as well.

We have literally have had this same conversation for 2 years about Toews not playing to the standards that he used to, even before he was making $10.5mil. I will keep trying to open the eyes of those who are blinded by the glory days and cannot objectively assess a hockey player's on-ice impact.

100% agree. Those bashing Toews and wanting to run him out of town don't know what the F they are talking about, and are just spewing nonsense...
- ToewsdNKanefusd

You are aware that Toews gets paid $10.5M a season which is a huge chunk of the Cap? Money given to Toews cannot be used to help the team elsewhere. Toews makes the same as Kane, who the Hawks expect will lead them in scoring each year and who works his butt off in season and off season. Toews should be contributing to the Hawks the way Crosby and Ovie contribute to their teams, which is obviously not occurring - and they are older. It is not unreasonable for fans, and the team for that matter, to expect Toews to actually earn his contract. There is no possible way for Toews to even begin to earn his contract when he is entering seasons not ready to play. Packing a Kale Smoothie when touring Machu Pichu doesn’t cut it for off season training. Just my little bit of “spewed nonsense.”

Another brilliantly thought out contract extended prematurely by Stanbo & Co.

BTW - where is the great Nick Schmaltz. Was he too tired to go play for Team USA at the World Championships with some of his teamates? But I'm sure he won't be too tired to ask Stanbo for a gigantic raise at the end of next season.
- RickJ

I have been wondering about Schmaltz too. Was he invited and declined? Thought it would have been a great opportunity to see if the line of Cat - Schmaltz - Kane had chemistry.

100% agree. Those bashing Toews and wanting to run him out of town don't know what the F they are talking about, and are just spewing nonsense...
- ToewsdNKanefusd

While I'm not saying that people don't know what they are talking about, his decline is just overblown. Expectation some people have are just out of whack.