Lofty comparisons are commonplace for early first-round draft picks. In the case of Jonathan Toews, the Chicago Blackhawks’ top pick and third overall in the 2006 draft, names like Joe Sakic and Steve Yzerman were mentioned for their skill, leadership, and abilities in all facets of the game. Such comparisons aren’t unique, but bearing out those similarities a mere 40 games into a career is a rare feat.

Toews certainly isn’t near the class of a Sakic or Yzerman just yet, but there is no denying the 19-year-old’s special qualities and importance within the framework of the Chicago Blackhawks lineup. Since his return last Sunday in Vancouver, the Blackhawks have taken seven points in four games while outscoring their opponents 17-6. The last time Chicago scored 17 goals over a four-game stretch was during a four-game win streak at the end of December, not so coincidentally with Toews in the lineup just before he sprained his knee.

Toews himself has contributed offensively, scoring two goals and three assists – including a highlight-reel wraparound goal against Nashville on Thursday – with nine total shots, a +4 rating, and winning 55.9% of his face-offs. Line-mate and fellow rookie, Patrick Kane, also has seen his productivity increase playing alongside Toews. Kane has scored a goal and three assists with Toews in the lineup; he had a goal and two assists in the eight games prior to Toews’ return.

Aside from his statistical success and leadership, the young center’s mere presence in the lineup also is key to the Blackhawks’ playing in a more balanced fashion without players out of position. Toews also has improved defensively since the start of the season, and he has developed into one of the team’s top penalty-killing forwards.

The only thing stopping the Winnipeg native from being a runaway Calder Trophy winner is the fact he has missed 18 games already this season. Still, he ranks second among rookies in goals and fourth overall in points. And with 24 games remaining for the Blackhawks, no one wants to be “the guy” to tell Jonathan Toews he can’t do it.

The Week Ahead

Chicago enters this week with a pair of crucial back-to-back games, three of which are on the road. With the NHL trading deadline looming on February 26th, this week could determine the fate of the Blackhawks’ season. A strong week in which the team takes six out of a possible eight points likely will make GM Dale Tallon lean towards making a playoff push; a poor week probably will knock the team out of playoff contention and, once again, make the Blackhawks sellers on deadline day.

The first of the four games this week probably is the most important. The Hawks will do battle in St. Louis as both teams attempt to scramble back into the playoff picture. Entering Tuesday, the Blues stand as one of four teams between the Blackhawks and the eighth playoff spot with a three-point lead over Chicago. If the game is close towards the end, expect playoff-like intensity since neither team wants the opponent to get the extra point for lasting to overtime.

Congratulations

Congratulations to the Blackhawks and young defenseman Brent Seabrook for arriving at a three-year contract extension. The 22-year-old defenseman already has 208 NHL games under his belt and he still is developing into a top-pair player for Chicago’s blue line. He, alongside Duncan Keith and Patrick Sharp, are the young veteran leaders of the surging Blackhawks and all three are under contract for multiple years to come.