Inking Toews, Kane to long-term deals ensured Hawks' long-term success
The man at the very top of the Blackhawks organization never had a doubt.
Should we go ahead and sign our two stars — Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane — to identical 8-year, $84 million contract extensions?
Absolutely.
“If you don't have the right guys, you wouldn't go that long,” chairman Rocky Wirtz said at the unveiling of the new Blackhawks retail store Tuesday. “These kids are very classy. It hasn't gone to their heads. They're not going to buy a bigger house. They're not going to buy a bigger car. They're not going to buy 45 suits.
“Like today, you don't see Jonathan Toews come in with an entourage of 15 or 20 people — he just comes in by himself. He parks his car like everyone else. That's just the kind of person he is and the kind of person Patrick Kane is.
“They're not in this about themselves and we're lucky to have them with us.”
Indeed.
The two stars, who began their Blackhawks careers together in 2007, have already provided a bonanza for an organization that had been in free fall for more than a decade. In their time together, the Hawks have made six consecutive playoff appearances, reached the Western Conference finals four times — and most importantly, have hoisted Lord Stanley's Cup twice already.
“It's amazing.” Toews said. “I don't think anyone would've predicted that, but I think if you ask anyone in our organization, especially our leaders at the top who make things go, they have big visions of where this team can go — getting to this point and where it can go from here as well.”
That includes a front office headed by team president John McDonough, who knew the lure of bigger money would have been out there for the Hawks' dynamic duo if they so wanted, but who also realized that the allure of remaining in Chicago and keeping the magic rolling would play a role for two players who are all about winning.
“They could've waited this out and could've gone home if they wanted to — or to any number of other franchises,” McDonough said. “But they know what the upside is. We're almost at historic proportions here.
“I think they want to perpetuate that — they want to keep that going. They are forever going to be pillars of this franchise, symbols of success, symbols of this generation.
“I think they made a very good decision.”
And now that Kane and Toews are signed and sealed, there's no reason to think they won't deliver again — and maybe sooner rather than later. The wise guys in Vegas sure think so, listing the Hawks as the favorites to win the Cup again this season, which begins tonight in Dallas.
“We've been there before and what's said outside of our locker room — good or bad — we just have to learn to not listen to it and just focus on what's being said inside the room,” Toews said. “It's good. There's always going to be more pressure, more expectations. We'd want it to be that way.”
Inking Toews to a long-term extension may have been the biggest no-brainer in sports history, given what the guy gives a team day in and day out — not just on the ice but in the locker room as well. The cat was simply born to lead.
“I just think his play, his leadership speaks for itself,” said Hawks coach Joel Quenneville. “I think he's a premier captain and leader in the league. We couldn't be more fortunate as a team and as an organization to have Jonny as our captain and our leader.
“At a young age, it's pretty remarkable how he just carries himself the right way. He's a perfect example of what you're looking for in a captain.”
Kane, on the other hand, had a few missteps early in his career. But in the last couple of years, the always-likeable kid has simply blossomed into a more mature, more complete player with the sky being his limit.
“It's been fun to see the evolution of this young man becoming a star and being so comfortable with all that and handle it so well,” McDonough said. “I think in my career it's one of the most rewarding things I've seen.
“He's in a very good place right now in his career.”
“He's going to be like Shaquille O'Neal if he keeps this up,” Toews said of his buddy's national exposure. “He's always had a knack for being front and center, that's just who he is. Obviously an exciting player and just a good person.
“As he said this summer, he's really matured at his own pace. It's good to see him get that notoriety off the ice — he's the type of guy who enjoys it and does really well with it. It's good for our team and our sport as well.”
But the beauty of Kane and Toews is that despite accomplishing what they already have by their mid-20s (can you believe it?), they just keep on pushing and pushing.
Kane arrived in camp in great shape minus a few pounds, and Toews, a tireless worker, continues to search for ways to improve.
“People always want to point at stats and all that stuff. You know what? If that comes and that improves, that's always a bonus,” Toews said.
“For me, I think there's always little things — maybe it's not even as much on the ice as it is on the bench and in the locker room that I want to focus on in just the way I handle things.
“I've learned a lot in my years as captain. There's always room to improve.”
Speaking of improvement ...
After coming within 1 goal of a return trip to the Stanley Cup Final last season, Toews closed by providing fans an answer they're going to like when asked if the Hawks are a better team than a year ago.
“Absolutely.” Toews said.
• Follow Mike's Hawks reports on Twitter @dhspellman.