NHL Rumors: Jonathan Toews' Injury Will Ruin Chicago Blackhawks' Fading Season

When Chicago Blackhawks All-Star center Jonathan Toews suffered a concussion last month, there was plenty of concern with regards to the injury's long-term effects. With no timetable for his return, the injury promises to derail Chicago's season.

According to Adam L. Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times, Toews missed his fifth straight game on Wednesday as the Blackhawks defeated the plummeting Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4. It is unclear when Toews may be able to return, though, or when he will resume hockey activities at all.

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'We’ll see how he’s progressing,' coach Joel Quenneville said. 'Today is no change from yesterday, so hopefully he can get going soon, and we can get him back on the ice.'

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Quenneville certainly didn't seem overly optimistic, but that is the nature of the beast when it comes to concussions. It's well documented that Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby's past two seasons have been ruined by concussion symptoms, so the Blackhawks will need to take it easy with Toews.

Even though the right move for the team's future is to be cautious with Toews, his absence leaves the Blackhawks in a very precarious position. As strange as it may be to say, Chicago was very thin at center prior to Toews' injury, so you can imagine how bleak things look right now.

The Blackhawks tried Patrick Kane at center earlier in the season, but rightly decided that he was better as a winger. Aside from that, Chicago has Dave Bolland, Marcus Kruger and Brendan Morrison at the pivot. Bolland is good, but more of a third liner, Kruger is inexperienced and Morrison has been a bust since being acquired from the Calgary Flames a few weeks ago.

Chicago likely had opportunities to address its center woes leading up to Monday's trade deadline, but it chose to acquire former Winnipeg Jets defenseman Johnny Oduya and nothing else. The failure to improve at center coupled with Toews' uncertainty will ultimately lead to the Blackhawks' demise.

The Blackhawks are currently sixth in the Western Conference and five points clear of ninth place, but they have a ton of issues. Even if Chicago makes the playoffs, its seed will be less than ideal and the odds of sustaining success over a seven-game series without Toews aren't very good.

Chicago's goaltending has been poor with Corey Crawford and Ray Emery between the pipes, and the defense has been questionable as well. As a result, it's no surprise that the Blackhawks have allowed the second-most goals in the conference.

While they have, on the other hand, managed to score the third-most goals in the conference, it will be tough to keep up that torrid pace without Toews in the lineup. Chicago is in a position where it needs to outgun its opponents, and if Toews is unable to come back this season, then a short foray into the playoffs is likely.