Jonathan Toews Versus. James Neal

Former Fighting Sioux All-Amerian Jonathan Toews isn't paid to get into fights, but he isn't afraid to defend himself either. Especially, if he's getting cheap shotted. Last night, Toews had enough of James Neal and agreed to fight.   According to Hockey Fights, Toews has been in 6 NHL hockey fights.

Jonathan Toews: 'Fighting Hawks Best of the Available Options'

Hmm, found this interesting. I said pretty much the same thing.

The day has come. The second round of the UND Nickname vote began today at 12:00 hours. My choice for a new nickname is Fighting Hawks, it’s the best choice of three unattractive/bad choices.

Here's a first from a @UNDmhockey alum: Jonathan Toews likes "Fighting Hawks." Called it the best of the available options. #cawlidgehawkey

— Jess Myers (@JessRMyers) February 20, 2016

Former Fighting Sioux All-American Jonathan Toews is sick and will skip the NHL's All-Star game. Because he's not playing in the All-Star game, Toews has been suspended one game by the NHL and won't get to play in the Blackhawks first game after the All-Star break. Personally, I think this is a horrible rule. The man is sick, he can't play. 

Chris Hine, Chicago Tribune -- Jonathan Toews will not participate in Sunday's All-Star game because of an illness that limited his time in the Blackhawks' 5-0 loss to the Hurricanes on Tuesday.

By NHL rules, Toews will also be suspended one Blackhawks game for pulling out of the All-Star Game.

"Jonathan will not participate in the 2016 NHL All-Star Weekend in Nashville. He was pulled Tuesday's night's third period because of an illness and remains symptomatic (Thursday)," Blackhawks team physician Dr. Michael Terry said in a statement. "At this time, rest over the break is most important for him to properly recover and be fully healthy heading into the rest of the regular season."

But  I digress, I have always been under the mindset if you're sick, you shouldn't go to work. Especially when the Blackhawks team doctor is prescribing rest for the All-Star Toews.

(Video) Jonathan Toews vs David Backes

Former Fighting Sioux All-American forward Jonathan Toews has been in a grand total of five NHL fights. Two of them have been against the same player, former Minnesota State Maverick David Backes. While fighting isn't Toews' role, he's fought twice already this season.

Classic Jonathan Toews

Today, former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews was asked about the Patrick Kane situation by the AM 1290 out of Winnipeg, MB. And this was his response. Classic Toews; he always seems to say the right thing.

Per ESPN:

Toews said: "I think you've just got to have confidence that things like that will resolve themselves over time. And for the time being, you stay together as a team, you support your teammate, teammates that are maybe going through a rough patch."

"We saw it last year with some rumors that spread through social media about several guys in our locker room," Toews said. "It's not the first time we've seen situations like that. Eventually you just deal with it internally, you stay together as a team, and you're confident that as individuals and as a group, everyone kind of stays together. And at the end of the day, we always say to each other what is said and what is done within the locker room is the only thing that really matters. We don't let anything going on on the outside affect the way we do our job and the way we come to work together as a team."

Toews: Blackhawks must 'stay together as a team' - http://t.co/vGIbm3W0gj

— ESPN Top Headlines (@TopEspn) September 4, 2015

Video: Parise vs Toews

A nice video tribute to two former UND fighting Sioux Hockey Players Zach Parise and Jonathan Toews.

NHL Mid Season Awards

With the NHL All Star Game this weekend, it is time to take a look at my mid season favorites for the NHL's major individual awards. So without any more waiting, here we go!

Hart Trophy (NHL MVP): Rick Nash: New York Rangers

Now although Rick Nash is not leading the league in the major individual categories, he has been the prime reason for the success the Rangers are having this season. Nash is 15th in the NHL with 43 points, tied for the NHL lead in goals at 28, and 10th in the NHL in plus/minus at a +18 rating. The Rangers are sitting third in the Metropolitan Division just five points back of division leader, and in state rival, the New York Islanders. It is easy to say Nash is the catalyst to the Rangers first half success and will continue being that for the Rangers as the season continues down the stretch towards the playoffs.

James Norris Memorial Trophy (NHL Top Defenseman) Mark Giordano: Calgary Flames

Well, I think it is safe to say nobody expected the Flames to have as much success this season as they are right now and much of that is due to the outstanding defensive play or Giordano. Not only is he a factor of keeping opposing teams off the scoreboard, his +21 rating shows that he is a force when it comes to scoring goals too. He leads NHL defensemen in points (39), third in assists (28), tied for fifth in goals (11) and is second in plus/minus, only behind teammate TJ Brodie. I think it is safe to say Mark Giordano has earned this honor at the mid season point. 

Vezina Trophy (NHL Top Goalie) Pekka Rinne: Nashville Predators 

Pekka Rinne has been amazing between the pipes for Nashville in the first half of the season. Although he recently has been sidelined with injury, he still holds four more victories than any NHL goaltender with 29 in 37 games played this season. He is also second in goals against (1.96), which is also the only other goalie in the NHL below a GAA of 2. Rinne is third in save percent (.931) and sixth in shutouts (3). The numbers speak for themselves, now lets see if he can keep it up once he returns from injury.

Selke Trophy (Top Defensive Forward) Jonathan Toews: Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks are one of the top teams in the NHL once again this sesaon and their defense is one of the main reasons for their success, and Jonathan Toews is leading the defensive charge with all forwards. The Hawks as a whole are one of the top defensive teams in the league this season, just allowing 105 goals on the season. Captain Jonathan Toews, with a +15 rating always does the little things right and is not afraid to battle below the goal line and in the corners. He also is a top penalty killer for Chicago and a big part of that is because of his ability to win key faceoffs. 

Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year) Filip Forsberg: Nashville Predators
Forsberg leads every major category for skaters among all rookies. The kid has turned heads of the entire NHL and has instantly become a major part of the Nashville line-up. His 40 points have him six points ahead of Johnny "hockey" Gaudreau in Calgary. Forsberg is the future face of the Predators and will be among the top scorers in the NHL for many years to come if he can keep this dynamic style of play up. 

Jack Adams Award ( Coach of the Year) Peter Laviolette: Nashville Predators 

After the departure for the only coach in Nashville Predators history, Barry Trotz, Nashville was put up to the task of finding a replacement for the long tenured coach and Peter Laviolette was that answer. Last season, Nashville was one of the worst teams in the NHL, and with some off-season additions, or trades last year by gaining James Neal, the light at the end of the tunnel was near. Peter Laviolette has turned this ship around, at least for now, and has this team at number one in the NHL. Even with the falling of Pekka Rinne, the Predators continue to roll, and much of that is the players have the trust in Laviolette's system and trust him in his methods.

NHL won't discipline Bruins' Seidenberg for hit on Toews

According to Tracy Myers of CSNCHICAGO.COM, the NHL is not going to discipline Dennis Seidenberg. Puck Daddy also has a nice post on the Seidenberg hit on Toews, too.

Greg Wyshynski, Puck Daddy -- The NHL’s Department of Player Safety decided on Friday that Dennis Seidenberg’s hit that injured Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks isn’t worthy of supplemental discipline, as there won’t be a hearing for the Boston Bruins defenseman.

As much as Blackhawks fans don’t want to hear it, this was the right call.

Ultimately, the League decided the call on the ice was the right one: a boarding minor. Just because a penalized player injured an opponent – and Toews’ status is still being determined, as the Blackhawks aren’t skating on Friday – doesn’t automatically mean the player deserves a suspension.

Do you agree or disagree with this? Feel free to chime in if you want. Is this the right decision.

Jonathan Toews Salutes the Troops in Warm Ups

Jonathan Toews salutes the troops in his camo warmup jersey! pic.twitter.com/9PlSsNGipp
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) November 12, 2014

I want one of these sweet jerseys. Former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews with the Camo jersey.

New York Times: Jack Eichel Can Do It All, Except Vote

Boston University forward Jack Eichel is only 17, but some have compared him to former UND forward Jonathan Toews. Eichel like Toews, snubbed the CHL to play NCAA hockey. I am just disappointed that UND isn't playing BU this season. Terrier fans should enjoy him while he's there, he won't be at BU more than one or two seasons.

Jeff Z. Klein, New York Times -- Jack Eichel is 17 and recently began attending freshman classes at Boston University. But he will be the central figure in the N.H.L. season that begins Wednesday.

If you are not a hockey fan, you may not have heard of Eichel. Those who have seen him, though, already compare him to players like Mike Modano, Patrick Kane, Evgeni Malkin and even Mario Lemieux.

“His first two strides are as explosive as I’ve ever seen at this level,” said Jim Johannson, a USA Hockey executive since 2000.

Kevin Prendergast, an N.H.L. scout and front office executive for 30 years, said: “It’s not just his speed; it’s his skill, his hockey sense. It doesn’t even look like he’s trying, but the puck comes to him. He makes things happen.”

Central Division Preview

With most training camps about to begin, I thought it would be appropriate to preview each division in the NHL. I will highlight a little about each team in the division, highlight key players on their teams, and how I think each team will end up come April.

Lets start off by giving praise to the surprise division champs of last season, the Colorado Avalanche. Forward Matt Duchene was plagued with injury last season, and was not much help in the playoffs because of this. He now is at 100% and ready to lead this team into another division title battle. This, however, will be done without the liking of Paul Stastny due to him moving on to St. Louis this upcoming season. This young team lead by Patrick Roy behind the bench will be a tough match up for anyone in the NHL and are once again a threat to win the division once again. However, one question I have on my mind, is will Nathan MacKinnon have the sophomore slump, or will he shine like his amazing rookie season? The Avalanche open up the season October 9th in Minnesota against their heated division rival.

Moving east, we have the team that fell and went splat at the end of the season, and in the first round of the playoffs, the St. Louis Blues. With the addition of Paul Stastny, the Blues hope that all of the pieces are now in place for a legitimate Stanley Cup run. With the leadership of David Backes

and TJ Oshie, the team is looking for a rebound after a terrible end to last season. The goalie situation is also solidified as well with the net belonging to Brian Elliot. St. Louis did bring in Ryan Miller for the stretch run last season, but didn't turn out too well for them. This is one of the deepest teams on paper in the entire NHL with the likes of Jaden Schwartz, Vladimir Tarasenko, Alexander Steen, among many others and will post a legit threat to a division crown, if not a Stanley Cup crown. The Blues open up the season October 9th at home against the New York Rangers.

Finishing third in the standings last season, the Chicago Blackhawks are looking to make their way back to the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in the last five years. As if this team couldn't find any more offensive depth, the Blackhawks went out to sign Brad Richards during free agency. However, he is a wild card. Will he play to his full potential, or will he be the inconsistent player the New York Rangers had seen the past couple seasons? One constant will be that no matter which line is on the ice, there always will be a threat to score. Whether it is Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa, Andrew Shaw, I think you get the point, there are 20 players on that bench who can step up and score when called upon.

That is what makes this team one of the most dangerous teams in the entire NHL. The Blackhawks open up the season by heading to Dallas to play the Stars on October 9th.

Finishing fourth was a very young, but surprisingly talented, Minnesota Wild team. It seemed like this team played with a grit after their dreadful six game losing streak midway through the season, that solidified them as a playoff team. With the addition of Thomas Vanek, and a healthy Jason Zucker, going into this season, the Wild are on the verge of being considered one of the NHL's elite teams. It's time to earn that honor by proving it on the ice with the young talent that has earned their right to play by working their way up through the AHL system. Coach Mike Yeo has all the pieces in place, so it seems, for a very memorable year in Minnesota, but that question mark in goal could be the one thing that holds them back from a possible trip to the Cup Finals. Can Josh Harding cope with his MS medications and be able to play a full season as the number one goalie? Will Niklas Backstrom stay healthy enough to stay in a strong back-up role? Then there is young

Darcy Kuemper, who still remains as an unsigned RFA, who proved that he is NHL ready to be a number one goalie. Where does he stand? If a deal is done, does he start in Iowa, or trade one of our other goalies to give him a spot with the big club? Things in Minnesota are going to be very exciting this season, but only if that goalie question mark gets solved, and fast. The Wild open up at home October 9th against the Colorado Avalanche.

Finishing fifth, and squeaking into the Western Conference's final playoff spot last season was the Dallas Stars. Tyler Seguin was a great addition to this team last season as he, and the rest of the Stars look to become a playoff contender for many years to come. Two major off season signings this season were those of Jason Spezza and Ales Hemsky, giving the Stars a little more offensive punch in this very tough Central Division. In all honesty, I have absolutely no clue on where this team will end up, or how

competitive they will be in the division, or the NHL, but I will say the Stars shouldn't be a team the league overlooks. This is a team that may once again sneak into the playoffs, and possibly play spoiler to someone's playoff hopes and dreams come April. The Stars open up at home against the Chicago Blackhawks on October 9th.

Finishing just three points behind the Dallas Stars was the Nashville Predators. The Predators are a team that always seem tough to play no matter where they are in the standings, but that could be because of Shea Weber on the blue line, who knows. Seth Jones had a decent rookie campaign last season as well, and learning from one of the best defenders to ever play in this league, could he be

Weber's next Ryan Suter like prodigy? Another thing looking good for Nashville is the addition of James Neal. While in Pittsburgh, Neal sat back to the likes of Crosby, Letang, and Malkin, but will he be the number one offensive threat in Nashville? I say yes. Playing with key veterans like Mike Fischer, Derek Roy, Mike Ribeiro, and Matt Cullen, he has the potential to find the net a lot this season. Finally, they also have a healthy Pekka Rinne. One of the top goalies in the league will likely be a strong backbone to this up and coming Nashville roster, and they will need him if they want to contend for a playoff spot come March and April. Nashville opens up the season on October 9th as well at home against the Ottawa Senators.

Last, but not least, the Winnipeg Jets. Finishing off last season with 83 points, the Jets look to become a more competitive team within the division and fight for a playoff spot. This Jets roster is one that reminds me a lot of the 2002-2003 Minnesota Wild, in that they really don't have any superstar players on it, but have the pieces to be a playoff contender if they play simple hockey and each player plays their role well. Now some may argue that Evander Kane and Blake Wheeler have that potential to break out and be that dynamic superstar that the Jets are looking for, but I don't think the pieces are there on this current roster for them to do that. I see a team that is average, to just above average at best, and fans in Winnipeg are going to be very restless when the product on the ice won't be able to keep up in the Central as well as everyone else in the division.

As for will the Jets climb out of the cellar this year? No. They didn't do anything to impress me in the off season to make me think that and with this roster, I see the team being around 80 points again this season by the time it is all said and done. The Jets open up against the team formerly known as the Winnipeg Jets, the Arizona Coyotes, on October 9th.

Jonathan Toews Ice Bucket Challenge

Former Fighting Sioux and current Chicago Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews did the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and this is by far the best ALS Ice Buckets Challenge that I have seen to date.

Nick Schmaltz impresses Chicago Blackhawks

Schmaltz leaves strong first impression http://t.co/cnmgh786tP
— ESPN Chicago (@ESPNChiHawks) July 24, 2014

While he may not be the second coming of Jonathan Toews, not many are, soon-to-be UND freshman forward Nick Schmaltz impressed the Chicago Blackhawks brass with his efforts during a recent development camp.

Scott Powers, ESPNChicago.com --- To eliminate that risk, the Blackhawks could look to sign those college prospects earlier. They could attempt to sway their top top-tier college players to leave after their sophomore or junior seasons and sign them to entry-level contracts. They have done this before with players such as Jonathan Toews and Nick Leddy.

The Blackhawks already appear to have a handful of players whom they might consider signing prior to their senior seasons. Forwards John Hayden, Vincent Hinostroza and Anthony Louis are coming off productive freshman seasons and continued to impress at last week's prospect camp. Tyler Motte didn't attend the camp, but he also had a strong freshman season. Nick Schmaltz, the Blackhawks' 2014 first-round pick, also played well in the camp and will be a freshman next year.

That being said, it doesn't appear that the Blackhawks are going to rush him to sign an NHL contract, either.

Scott Powers, ESPNChicago.com --- Blackhawks amateur scouting director Mark Kelley did a majority of the evaluating of the 6-foot, 172-pound Schmaltz and had him high on the list of the offensively-skilled players in the NHL draft. One of Schmaltz’s skills especially stood out to Kelley.

“His hands, they’re fast,” Kelley said at the NHL draft.

Schmaltz isn’t a finished product, and that also attracted the Blackhawks to him. The Blackhawks weren’t looking for someone in the first round they could rush to the NHL. They sought someone with a high ceiling, but who would need time to get there.

Chicago Blackhawks: Toews and Kane get paid

#494772349 / gettyimages.com

For their efforts, former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are now locked into some nice, fat contracts that will make them very rich men. In my opinion, this is what a post 2013 lockout contract will looks like. It will be interesting to see what kind of issues the Blackhawks have with salary cap.

Chris Kuc, Tribune reporter -- Two of the NHL’s top players aren’t going anywhere after Toews and Kane agreed to terms on identical eight-year, $84 million contract extensions Wednesday, likely ensuring the Hawks will be Stanley Cup contenders for the next decade or so.

Hawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz, President John McDonough, general manager Stan Bowman and the rest of the Hawks’ hierarchy recognized and rewarded their young forwards’ rare talent with contracts that will carry salary-cap hits of $10.5 million per year apiece — the highest in league history — when they kick in beginning with the 2015-16 season.

That combined $168 million dedicated long term to two players carries cap implications that Bowman will have to work his way through when he assembles future rosters.

Toews and Kane: Blackhawks through 2023. Both agree to an eight year, $84 million contract extension. #Hawkstalk pic.twitter.com/EAtkKTHONv
— Crosstown Tickets (@crosstowntix) July 9, 2014

Chicago Blackhawks: Toews and Kane looking to get paid

#482751631 / gettyimages.com

Former UND Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are looking to a big payday. The question, will the Hawks pay these two All-Stars that much money?

TNS.CA -- Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane appear to have made their initial ask to the Chicago Blackhawks on a contract extension and are hoping to join the NHL's highest paid players.

According to TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie, it's believed that Kane and Toews have both asked for salaries of about $12 million per year.

McKenzie notes that both players will likely end up with a lower salary than their initial ask, but could still see $10 million per year averages.

(Video) Chicago Blackhawks score two goals in 1:37 - game 6

The Chicago Blackhawks scored two quick goals 1:37 minutes apart in the opening minutes of the second period to take a 2-1 lead in game six.

Kane is smoking hot, and in the last two games has scored (1g-4a-5pts).

01:12CHI PPG - Patrick Kane (7) Wrist shot - ASST: Jonathan Toews (8), Brent Seabrook (10) 1 - 1 Tie
02:49 CHI Ben Smith (4) Wrist shot - ASST: Patrick Sharp (5), Brent Seabrook (11) 2 - 1 CHI

(Video) Chicago Blackhawks: Michal Handzus scores the game-winning goal - game 5

That's the first ever overtime game-winning goal that Chicago Blackhawks forward Michal Handzus has scored and I guess he picked a good time to score it. Patrick Kane assisted on four-of-five Blackhawks goals. So, we will have hockey on Friday night in L.A.. I still think that the KIngs will this series. Nonetheless, this was a great hockey game.

Well that was one amazing hockey game. #LAKings return home to finish this up Friday night.
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 29, 2014

(Video) Jonathan Toews scores a nice goal against Jonathan Quick

Chicago Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews knows how to get to the blue paint, this is a perfect example of this. Toews scored two goals in the first period of game three of the Western Conference Finals, but this one was a thing of beauty.

Toews pic.twitter.com/6dNEfKzfgy
— Tumblr Hockey (@TumblrHockey_) May 25, 2014

(Video) Chicago Blackhawks goal that was disallowed (Goalie Interference)

Chicago Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews thought he had scored Chicago's second goal of the game. The play was ruled goalie interference. Was this the right call or not? Should the goal have counted?  Rule 69.1 states that you can't review goalie interference with the aid of video replay.

So, here's my question, how do we know when the refs didn't didn't use video replay when they called up stairs to make the decision? We don't. This might be one of those plays where the  refs "should" be able to review video to help them make a decision.

NHL Hockey: Evolution of the game?

#490625631 / gettyimages.com

I have said in the past, that players that score 30 goals and fight will be a premium some day. I still stand by the assertion. The one dimensional goons (that can only fight) are going to be a thing of the past. Moving forward, in the years ahead, players will need to actually play hockey and contribute to their team in some way.  The John Scotts of the world are going to be on the NHL's unemployment line, very soon. There will still be fighting, just less of it.

Fluto Shinzawa, Boston Globe -- But it takes an agreement to fight. If a skilled team doesn’t have a slugger, the opponent’s tough guy has no dance partner. Through attrition, the fighter is becoming irrelevant. Heavyweights such as Thornton, Scott (Buffalo), Micheal Haley (Rangers), George Parros (Montreal), Mike Rupp (Minnesota), Cam Janssen (New Jersey), Steve MacIntyre (Edmonton), Ben Eager (Edmonton), Paul Bissonnette (Phoenix), and Kevin Westgarth (Calgary) will become unrestricted free agents this summer. Some of these players may be on their final NHL contracts.

“The fisticuff trend — this doesn’t characterize Thorty as just a fighter, because he’s contributed on that line and that line has had a lot of success in the past — we’re definitely trending away from that style,” Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli said.

The Bruins are in transition. Thornton is doubtful to return. Paille and Campbell will enter the final year of their contracts. This could be the beginning of refreshing the fourth line to keep pace with Chicago’s innovation.

Paille is a good No. 4 left wing. He’s fast, kills penalties, and is good in battles. Justin Florek could replace Thornton on the right side. Florek is big and smart. He’s strong on the walls. He can also kill penalties.