Chicago Blackhawks taking the cautious approach with Jonathan Toews’ return: ‘He’s going to have to ramp himself back up’

Jonathan Toews missed a second day of Chicago Blackhawks practice — and is likely to miss a second and third straight game — but he’s on track to return to the ice next week.

Toews has been out since Sunday with a non-COVID 19 illness.

[ [Don’t miss] Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane’s trade destinations narrow with NY Rangers’ acquisition of Vladimir Tarasenko ]

“He’s probably unavailable for the weekend because it’s been such a long break that we had,” Hawks coach Luke Richardson said about Friday and Saturday games against the Arizona Coyotes and Winnipeg Jets, respectively.

Toews didn’t practice with the team Thursday at Fifth Third Arena but he was in the building.

“It was great to see him,” Richardson said. “He was back today and working out in the gym.”

Much in the way the Hawks erred on the side of caution with Patrick Kane, holding him out for three games last month after he aggravated a lower-body injury, they’re taking a similar tack with Toews, who was idle through the NHL All-Star break and now five days this week.

“He’s going to have to ramp himself back up,” Richardson said. “It’s just the situation being on the break, too, it just makes it extra long. Just like any other body that was out for an injury or an illness, we’ll just ramp him back up.”

Richardson said Toews was in good spirits and didn’t seem fatigued after his workout.

“I think he looks good, he looks strong,” he said. “He crushed my hand in a handshake, so that’s a good sign.”

Friday night’s matchup against the Coyotes at the United Center marks the Hawks’ 50th game of the season, and Toews has played in 46. He missed a Jan. 26 road game against the Calgary Flames but followed it up with a goal against the Edmonton Oilers Jan. 28.

He already has beaten last season’s goal total (12) with 14 so far and also has 14 assists.

Toews missed all of the 2020-21 pandemic season with lingering symptoms believed to be tied to COVID-19 as well as a condition called Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), an immune system disorder that can sap his energy and leave him feeling disoriented.

[ [Don’t miss] Seth Jones enjoyed his NHL All-Star experience, but he and Chicago Blackhawks teammate Patrick Kane critique ‘gimmicky’ skills events ]

Richardson said he is aware of Toews’ CIRS, but it hasn’t been an issue this season in his mind.

“I know the one time, early in the season when he missed the (New) Jersey game (on Dec. 6), he wasn’t happy when I pulled him because he was sick then as well,” Richardson said. “He wanted to play. I don’t think that was a problem then and I don’t think that’s a problem now. That’s something he’s learned to deal with after he had it.”

Toews entered training camp in “great shape,” Richardson said, and had a strong start: seven goals and two assists in his first 11 games.

Still, Toews turns 35 on April 29 and he has logged 1,060 games just in the regular season through 15 seasons.

“He’s a big strong guy, but those guys have lots of miles on them,” Richardson said.

Toews and Kane have played “not just in three Stanley Cup Finals and won, but they went to conference finals and they went to the Olympics and the All-Star games,” Richardson said. “There’s not a lot of break for those guys, so it does catch up to you at certain times.”

[ [Don’t miss] Max Domi went through ‘torture’ for his tattoos, but the Chicago Blackhawks forward doesn’t have any regrets. Here’s what they all mean. ]