Jonathan Toews said he was surprised that the Chicago Blackhawks are making big changes to their roster, with an emphasis on young players replacing key veterans.
“I was never told we were going through a makeover,” Toews told The Athletic on Saturday. “I was never actually told that. Much of it is a shock because it’s a completely different direction than we expected.”
Toews’ comments came the same day striker Brandon Saad was traded to the Colorado Avalanche and a day after the goalkeeper was traded Corey Crawford signed a two-year contract for $ 7.8 million (average annual value $ 3.9 million) with the New Jersey Devils as a free agent.
The 27-year-old Saad, two-time Stanley Cup winner of the Blackhawks (2013, 2015), was third in Chicago last season with 21 goals. The 35-year-old Crawford also won the trophy in 2013 and 2015.
“It’s sad. It’s really disappointing,” Toews said. “”[Crawford] gave so much to this team. I think he was ready to bring more over the next few years and still be a big part of that group. He had a mindset that he could help this team get deep into the playoffs again and there is no doubt he could. ”
The Blackhawks competed in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2016/17 last season. They were number 12 in the best-of-5 Stanley Cup qualifiers and defeated the No. 5-seeded Edmonton Oilers in four games before beating the best-of-7 Western Conference First Round in five games Vegas Golden Knights lost.
Malcolm SubbanThe 26-year-old goalkeeper, who signed a two-year contract for $ 1.7 million on Friday, is now Chicago’s most experienced player with 66 NHL games (60 starts) for the Blackhawks, Golden Knights and Boston Bruins. Collin Delia, 26, played 18 games (16 starts). Kevin LankinenThe 25-year-old has yet to make his NHL debut.
Though Toews, who is 32, and Patrick KaneChicago, who led the Blackhawks last season with 84 points (33 goals, 51 assists), remains offensively in focus. Chicago also wants younger strikers to play big roles. Alex DeBrincat, who will turn 23 on December 18, 2018/19 scored 41 goals. 25-year-old Dominik Kubalik agreed to a two-year contract for $ 7.4 million on Friday. He led NHL rookies with 30 goals and came third in the Calder Trophy election for the league’s best rookie.
Toews, whose eight-year deal signed on July 9, 2014 runs through the 2022-23 season, said he had no desire to be traded. He has scored 815 points (345 goals, 470 assists) in 943 games, all with the Blackhawks, and won the Stanley Cup three times (2010, 2013 and 2015).
“I wasn’t part of that conversation,” he said. “It all happened pretty suddenly, but the answer is no. Chicago is my home and I want to win again here.”
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