Puck Prose
Fansided

NHL Awards: Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy Winner Roundtable

By Tanner Rebelo

Apr 9, 2016; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) skates with the puck past Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jeff Skinner (53) in the third period at BB&T Center. The Panthers won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) skates with the puck past Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jeff Skinner (53) in the third period at BB&T Center. The Panthers won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Apr 15, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) skates with the puck during game two of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center. The Blackhawks won the game 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) skates with the puck during game two of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center. The Blackhawks won the game 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports /

 Suraj Sukumar, Contributor

After incredibly strong seasons, and a couple Stanley Cups, Jonathan Toews had one of his worst regular season performances last year. He scored 58 points, his lowest full-season total since 2011-12, and suffered a first-round playoff exit at the hands of the St. Louis Blues. Toews failed to record a goal in the seven-game series and simply did not look like himself.

Many would blame his lack of consistent linemates throughout the season, or Hossa missing much of the year due to injury. But Toews does not see it that way. Instead, he blames the amount of hockey his body has endured over the past few years. Can you blame him? Toews has represented Canada twice at the Olympics and led the Chicago Blackhawks to eight straight playoff berths. The only time Toews and the Blackhawks missed the playoffs since he joined was 2008-09 when Toews was still a rookie and played just 64 games.

Toews spent his summer relaxing and letting his body heal. He is set to represent Canada once again at the World Cup of Hockey and is primed to have a strong bounce-back season after taking some time off. With Patrick Kane locking down his new role with youthful linemates, it is now Toews’ turn to reap the same benefits.

As it stands, the Blackhawks have very little to offer, though. After Hossa, Toews’ had good chemistry with Teuvo Teravainen, but the Blackhawks traded him and Bryan Bickell to the Carolina Hurricanes for draft picks. If Hossa can stay healthy, the Blackhawks would need to find a suitable candidate to man the left side. Another carousel of players would only hinder their captain’s production, and finding him a capable linemate should be the Blackhawks’ first priority.

If Toews can find some consistent chemistry with his linemates, and get back to his scoring ways, there is no doubt he would be one of the top candidates to take home the Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy. He is an elite level center and has captained his team for much of his adult life.

His leadership is possibly his best asset on and off the ice, but his two-way style has made him one of the most impressive players of his generation. With that said, if Toews can return to past glory, there is no doubt he should be considered a finalist for the Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy in 2016-17.

Home/Editorials