Chicago Blackhawks: There Are No Answers on the Return of Jonathan Toews

Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews is currently due to miss his 12th-straight game as the team travels to Dallas Friday night.

The game with the Stars could be a playoff preview worth taking note of, but the big question on the minds of 'Hawks fans is in regards to the captain.

When can Chicago expect Toews back? Here, in my modest little forum, is the definitive answer.

I don't know. That's the simple answer.

Toews will come back when he is back, unless he doesn't come back.

I'm pretty sure I spouted similar "wisdom" a year ago when we were all on the Dave Bolland watch. That count reached 17 games and almost five weeks before Bolland returned with a dramatic performance in Game 4 of Chicago's opening-round playoff series with Vancouver.

No matter what the team says right now, they don't know much more than we do.

While it wouldn't be the confidence-builder we'd all like to have, it would be kind of refreshing for the organization to admit this. There's no shame in stating that it's impossible to predict the effects of a concussion on an individual player.

Instead, the Blackhawks pretend that they are in control of a condition that has befuddled medical staffs around the NHL.

A week ago, Toews was skating with the team, joshing with teammates and admitting that he had probably make a mistake in ignoring symptoms. Toews then said the following to ESPNChicago.com's Jesse Rogers:

"

“You’re supposed to feel better every day,” Toews said after Hawks practice and a scrimmage with a youth team Saturday. “People talk about setbacks and the last three days I don’t feel like I’ve had any."

"

As it turned out, that optimism was short-lived.

Toews hinted that he could be ready to play in Tuesday's game with St. Louis. However, the appearance he made for the kids has been the last time Toews has been on the ice.

On the optimistic side, Chicago is 6-4-1 since Toews left the lineup February 19 and beaten some really good teams in that stretch.

By no means am I suggesting that the 'Hawks are better off without Toews, but they've been able to keep their heads above water.

On the other hand, Chicago has lost twice to the Kings and once to the Stars in Toews' absence, something that could take on importance if either team wins the Pacific Division and the Blackhawks hold onto the sixth seed.

Regardless of the opponent, Toews in the middle of the top line is going to be a welcomed sight if it happens before the playoffs begin.

Will that return happen next week? WIll it happen by the postseason?

“If we saw him out there, he would be fine,” coach Joel Quenneville told Rogers on Thursday.

Sounds a lot like "I don't know,".