Blackhawks' Toews returns to ice

It may have been one small step for Jonathan Toews, but it's potentially one giant leap for the Blackhawks' playoff hopes down the stretch.

For the first time since February 19, Toews, who is recovering from a concussion, hit the ice prior to practice at Johnny's Ice House on Thursday morning, skating on his own under the watchful eye of strength and conditioning coach Paul Goodman.

“We all came in and saw him working hard; it's good to see his face red and sweaty,” said defenseman Duncan Keith.

Toews didn't talk to reporters but told coach Joel Quenneville that it was a solid workout.

“He felt good and that's part of it as well,” Quenneville said. “It's a big first step, seeing him out here. But we'll see how he's progressing.”

Even if the Hawks' captain won't be in the lineup Friday night against the New York Rangers — which he won't be, marking his ninth straight game missed — and even though a return date is a great unknown, just seeing No. 19 back on the ice seemed to up the pumped-up factor around the team.

“It's very exciting for us to see him back out here,” Quenneville said. “He was encouraged as well. It was a really good day.”

“He's the best player on our team and to see him go out is tough, but it's nice to see him get back out on the ice,” Bryan Bickell said.

The Hawks could certainly use their captain's near point-per-game output as well as all the other intangibles he brings to the table as they prepare for the final stretch of the regular season.

“Off of that (workout), we'll certainly get an idea that maybe it's closer,” Quenneville said of a possible return date. “We'll see.”

Defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson, who has also suffered with concussion symptoms and may return to the lineup Friday after missing 12 of the last 13 games, said Toews' return to the ice is a good sign, but there's still more work to do.

“It's pretty amazing how that works; how long it takes to get in shape and how fast it goes away,” Hjarlmarsson said. “It usually takes a while to get back in good shape.”

But ...

“It's a step in the right direction, for sure. He likes to be out there instead of just being in the gym doing what he's been doing.

“It's a good thing.”