Jonathan Toews playing his part in helping Chicago Blackhawks recruit players -NHL Free Agency Update
Sometimes a team in the National Hockey League (NHL) has to count on their players to bring on board big names during the annual free agency and for Chicago Blackhawks, captain Jonathan Toews has agreed to play that crucial role in influencing his colleagues.
Chicago Blackhawks were one of the front runners for New Jersey Devils’ Zach Parise and Nashville Predators’ Ryan Suter, but lost both of them as they signed on with Minnesota Wild to mammoth 13-year, $98 million contracts.
Now with those two off the free agency market, Shane Doan, the Phoenix Coyotes’ captain, is the next player on their list and if things work out the way Chicago wants them to, Blackhawks could be a changed team heading into next season.
“I’m not going to lie, there have been a few text messages sent here and there to guys that I know,” Toews said Tuesday. “It’s been different than other years because we have been in the mix to look for another player. I’d love to be able to influence a
guy like that (Doan) to come to Chicago. We know Chicago is a great place to play and that we’re going to have a good team this year, so hopefully that entices somebody to want to come play for us.”
Roberto Luongo is also reportedly on their radar as the veteran goalie wants out of Vancouver Canucks and while Florida Panthers have no use for the net minder, Chicago could benefit greatly from him.
“It’s all about reaching a fair deal and we want the NHL to realize that. We’ll see how it goes in the next month or so,” Toews added.
Toews is also a major activist in the labour talks going on between the NHL and Players’ Association as his participation is definitely crucial for both sides to come to an agreement.
In the upcoming days, Jonathan Toews is hopeful that they might be able to work a deal out with some of the names on their free agency wish list but for now, the Blackhawks captain can keep on sending those text messages out.
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