Blackhawks still waiting for Jonathan Toews to return

The Blackhawks will have to wait a little longer for their captain to return.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said Toews will not play Sunday against the Winnipeg Jets. Toews has missed the Hawks’ last five games with a back injury since playing only 9:15 against the San Jose Sharks on Nov. 23.

There had been some hope Toews, who has 12 points in 21 games, would return Sunday. Instead, that comeback will have to wait a bit longer, as Toews skated early Sunday but Quenneville said the Hawks would keep him off the ice for the next few days before re-assessing in the middle of the week.

Quenneville said Toews’ injury isn’t getting better, and it’s not one he’s dealt with before.

“Well you certainly miss his presence in all aspects of your team game, his leadership as well, as good as anybody that’s played,” Quenneville said. “You use all those important minutes.”

Without their captain, the Hawks have gone 3-1-1.