Jonathan Toews

geschrocks33

geschrocks33

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How can you not like this dude? Definition of clutch and leader, and the guy does it all. PP, PK, last minute heroics, leadership, skill, two-way game, he's one of the best is the business.

The display he put on in the final two minutes last night = pretty crazy.
 
I agree with all of the above, but you have to admit, the 2nd goal was an absolute stinker. If only Toews scores can score that goal, then the hockey gods are playing favorites.
 
Brave said:
I agree with all of the above, but you have to admit, the 2nd goal was an absolute stinker. If only Toews scores can score that goal, then the hockey gods are playing favorites.
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Very true, however I think sometimes the Hawks downfall is getting a little too fancy with the puck, so you have to give him credit for just firing it at the net.

Getzlaf has done it all series and resulted in numerous goals, instead of the fancy stuff, grab the puck, fire it at the net. Works wonders
 
I have said for the past 4-5 years if not for Crosby, Toews might be the face of the game. I also still dispute he is the more well-rounded player, but what do I know................
 
TheGriceBoys said:
I have said for the past 4-5 years if not for Crosby, Toews might be the face of the game. I also still dispute he is the more well-rounded player, but what do I know................
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Barrie, With all respect to Crosby, Ovie, Stammer, etc. I continue to say if I was starting an NHL franchise and had to pick one player I would start with Toews, but that's just me

Actually this could be a fun discussion :dance:
 
geschrocks33 said:
Barrie, With all respect to Crosby, Ovie, Stammer, etc. I continue to say if I was starting an NHL franchise and had to pick one player I would start with Toews, but that's just me

Actually this could be a fun discussion :dance:
Click to expand...

No it won't. Everyone will go homer and we will end up with 250 Carey Price votes, 200 Crosby, 150 Ovie, etc, etc.

I always say you start a team with a franchise centerman because you need the appeal of scoring, the flashy player, etc. to draw the fans, then build back, franchise d man, franchise goalie, not necessarily in that order. Guess it depends where you are at when you start a team, current club or expansion, and also what's available when you pick (position of best player available)................

But I digress, Toews is lights out, guy is not lacking in any facet of the game, including best game time scowl.
 
TheGriceBoys said:
No it won't. Everyone will go homer and we will end up with 250 Carey Price votes, 200 Crosby, 150 Ovie, etc, etc.

I always say you start a team with a franchise centerman because you need the appeal of scoring, the flashy player, etc. to draw the fans, then build back, franchise d man, franchise goalie, not necessarily in that order. Guess it depends where you are at when you start a team, current club or expansion, and also what's available when you pick (position of best player available)................

But I digress, Toews is lights out, guy is not lacking in any facet of the game, including best game time scowl.
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True, I forgot to take into consideration the "Carey Price is a God" factor.


Hawks obviously built the right way, their core is pretty darn good, and I really don't consider Crawford a franchise goalie. Their 2 Cups have come with Niemi and Crawford, by no means superstars. Imagine if Chicago had Price, Quick, Lundqvist, someone along those lines. Team would be scary
 
geschrocks33 said:
True, I forgot to take into consideration the "Carey Price is a God" factor.


Hawks obviously built the right way, their core is pretty darn good, and I really don't consider Crawford a franchise goalie. Their 2 Cups have come with Niemi and Crawford, by no means superstars. Imagine if Chicago had Price, Quick, Lundqvist, someone along those lines. Team would be scary
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I don't think teams that are established franchises like Chicago "build the right way" by losing, but the more appropriate term might be "draft smart".

And yes, they did, getting Toews and Kane was incredible. I also agree with you, the team hasn't had a superstar goalie, but serviceable ones that have played well for certain stretches.

The Hawks might be looking at some cap troubles going forward so I feel the pressure is really on them this year to make one more run at it and then sit down and evaluate the the team and who they can and can't keep going forward. Fortunately they locked up the guy the thread is about for almost the next decade along with his partner in glory Kane.
 
Toews again lurks in the shadows of guys like Crosby and Ovechkin and I don't understand why?

Regular seasons are awesome, but isn't it all about winning when it counts and the pressure and stage are biggest?

Captain Serious Pants is on his way to another finals.

Ovie grab my clubs, Sid, pour me a pint, let's hit up Tampa and swing the sticks.
 
Before anybody immediately points out the fact I am from Winnipeg - I will admit, yes, I do have the rose coloured glasses on for Toews.

However, the facts and stats overall just do not lie for this guy. Sure, the "winner" moniker is largely overplayed in sports. But tell me how (if he gets another SC win) a guy with this resume: 3 Stanley Cups, 2 Olympic Golds, and World Junior Gold isn't one of the most impressive winners in hockey history? More impressive, he was NOT a passenger on any of these runs, in fact, he has one of the most important forces on each of these teams to get them over the hump and taste victory.

He can play the skill game up and down the ice - or he can go in the corner and maul the puck out and make plays for his team in the biggest moments.

You can have your Sid and Ovi, I will take Johnny in a must win game, every single day of the week, and twice on Sunday.
 
If everything is on the line, and my team is down a goal with a minute left, or up a goal with a minute left, and I have a choice of any player in the NHL to be out there, I'm going with Toews. Before Crosby, before OV, before Stamkos, before Tavares. It's Toews, every time, in any situation, it's Toews.
 
Towes is the best player in the league hands down. All the guy does is win and when the game/series is on the line he plays his best. Like already stated, if you have to choose one player to be the cornerstone of your team it's Toews. Crazy to think the Pens passed on him at 2 and picked J.Staal. Could you imagine a Pens team with Toews, Crosby, and Malkin.
 
I would start my franchise with Toews. What he has is incredibly rare. His desire to win is off the charts and will take a team on his back and lead by example.

Crosby is probably 2nd for current players.

Flashy players, goal scorers, big centres, franchise d, true #1 goalie, are also very desirable, but those other qualities can be found a bit more easier (although still tough).

As for fans, a winning team will draw them (with some offensive flair - sorry NJ). And having a superstar as the face helps too, like the case with Stamkos in Tampa.
 
I think his opening of game 7 says it all about him, I've been calling him Captain Clutch because that's what he is. If you are down or need to win HE is the man you want out on the ice. I'd love to see a stat on how many of his goals or assists came on go ahead/game tying goals. It is scary how he seems to score at the moments when the team needs a goal.

I'm in the same camp as everyone here I think he is the well rounded player in the game, if I was starting a franchise he would be the one i'd want, etc, etc.

But I'm a Hawks fan so in the eyes of many i'd be just another 'Homer' pumping up my teams star. But I truly believe if again IF the hawks can do it and beat the Lightning for the cup it would cement Toews as the greatest captain in Hawks history. Period, no debate.

Already he has the best game face scowl of any Captain in the league.
 
Mooche said:
However, the facts and stats overall just do not lie for this guy. Sure, the "winner" moniker is largely overplayed in sports. But tell me how (if he gets another SC win) a guy with this resume: 3 Stanley Cups, 2 Olympic Golds, and World Junior Gold isn't one of the most impressive winners in hockey history?
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THIS!!! And he's still only 27 ?!?!? :whatthehell: :duh: :whatthehell:

Just insane accomplishments for someone supposedly entering his prime years.
 
Another thing not mentioned is his faceoff ability, as he is one of the best in that department as well. I really do hope him and Kane stay together for their entire careers
 
There's a reason why he's the captain, and not Kane or Keith, and that's saying a lot.

I think no matter what situation you are in for building a franchise, Toews is the one you start with. Different if there isn't that type of player around. Too many tools, too many intangibles, and hockey IQ is off the charts. He is a generational talent for captaincy, and he has the skills to back up his leadership.

Sustained winning cures all problems and helps build a solid fan base. Stars and Avs are good examples.

Something I would love to ask him about the game 6 tying goal vs the Ducks. Some will say it was a fluke goal. I want to know what he was thinking. Maybe he saw something and his gut told him to fire it on net from an impossible angle. Did he see some tendency with Andersen? Did he think the dman was too close and aimed for his shin pad? Maybe didn't like how the dump in was set up and figured worst case it would force a face off?

Whatever the reason, my gut tells me that was no fluke.

I remember listening to Toews' clutch performance at the WJC in the shootout. Crazy rule that you can let players shoot over and over. Watching him dominate in the 2014 Olympics was impressive. Supposedly he celebrated for one day and left the next to go back to Chicago to prepare for the Stanley Cup run.

IMO, when it comes to Toews, there's not going to be much of a homer vote from other fans. Too good to deny. Might be different if it was Crosby, but at this point, there's no arguing Toews is the guy to start a franchise.

geez...now I'm sounding like a homer. :p
 
There are a handful of players on this Hawks team who should be instantly inducted into the HHOF if they are able to win this series (and even if they're not). What Toews has accomplished at age 27 trumps what the vast majority of current inductees achieved.

He's so good that he should have his own room in the Hall, perhaps shared with Niedermayer who is also absurd when it comes to winning.
 

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