Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews gives health update, explains extended absence; trade unlikely

Toews had previously missed the entire 2020-21 season after being diagnosed with Chronic Immune Response Syndrome and was able to return a year ago. While he has not played at the level he was at during his prime years, he had still been a productive forward and one of the few bright spots on the Blackhawks' roster.

He is in the final year of his contract with the team and is slated to be an unrestricted free agent after this season. That contract situation, as well as the the Blackhawks' current rebuild, has made him a potential trade candidate ahead of the NHL trade deadline on March 3. But he has a complete no-trade clause in his contract and has full control over where he goes or if he gets traded.

But this update certainly changes the potential for a trade. General manager Kyle Davidson said on Sunday that the trade deadline is a secondary concern at this point and he simply hopes that Toews can play again this season. 

The 34-year-old Toews has spent his entire career in Chicago, helping the team win three Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013 and 2015. He has been the captain of the team for more than a decade.