Despite posting a heartfelt goodbye to the city of Chicago and Blackhawks fans and teammates on his Instagram page, three-time Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Toews may not be retiring just yet.
According to a report from Jay Zawaski of CHGO Sports, Toews’s social media post was not an admission he was hanging up his skates and the 35-year-old forward is eyeing a return sometime soon.
“I’m told this is NOT a retirement statement,” Zawaski tweeted. “My understanding is that he will skip the 2023-24 season and wants to play in 2024-25. Statement from Toews expected soon.”
It had been speculated in mid-July that Toews was going to retire after his name was not on the list of free-agent players submitted to the NHL by CAA, the agency that represents Toews, prior to the start of free agency on July 1. Toews has not filed any retirement paperwork with the league office.
If he does indeed take a year off and return in 2024, Toews would likely join a Stanley Cup contender for one more run at a championship — a route his former teammate Patrick Kane appears to be taking after his agent announced the 34-year-old forward wouldn’t sign until well after the 2023 season had started.
Among the Blackhawks all-time records, Toews ranks third in game-winning goals (69), fifth in postseason goals (45) and postseason points (119) and sixth in goals (372) and points (883). His resume also includes three Stanley Cup championships, two Olympic gold medals, a World Cup of Hockey gold medal, a Conn Smythe award and a Selke Trophy.
Toews was the third-youngest player in the NHL to be named a team captain in 2008. His 15-year captaincy is the longest in Blackhawks history.
