(Chicago) The Chicago Blackhawks said Thursday morning that they will not make a new contract offer to their captain, Jonathan Toews, confirming the end of a chapter in the history of the franchise in Illinois.
“I spoke with Jonathan several times during the season about his future with the Blackhawks, and recently we made the difficult decision not to present him with a new contract offer during the summer season,” the manager said. Hawks general Kyle Davidson in a statement.
“He [Toews] has done so much for this organization, and no matter where he takes his career, we’re glad our fans have the chance to show one last time how much he means to them,” he added. .
Toews, who will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, will put on the Hawks uniform for the last time Thursday night, during a game against the Philadelphia Flyers.
The 34-year-old has so far scored 371 goals and 511 assists in 1,066 career NHL games, all with the Blackhawks. He also won three Stanley Cups with them, in 2010, 2013 and 2015.
Toews, however, has been plagued by numerous health issues in recent years, which has slowed him down considerably.
This season, Toews has scored 14 goals and 16 assists in 52 games. The Franco-Manitoban was selected by the Hawks third overall in the 2006 NHL Draft.
His departure, combined with that of star player Patrick Kane at the March 3 NHL trade deadline, spells the end of an era for the Hawks.
