"I've never been told that we were going through a rebuild," the Chicago captain told The Athletic on Saturday. "That has never been communicated to me, for that matter. A lot of this comes as a shock because it's a completely different direction than we expected."
Toews' comments came on the same day forward Brandon Saad was traded to the Colorado Avalanche and one day after goalie Corey Crawford signed a two-year, $7.8 million contract ($3.9 million average annual value) with the New Jersey Devils as a free agent.
Saad, 27, a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Blackhawks (2013, 2015), was third on Chicago with 21 goals last season. Crawford, 35, also won the Cup in 2013 and 2015.
"It's sad. It's really disappointing," Toews said. "Crawford] has given so much to this team. I feel he was ready to bring more in the next few years and still be a big part of this group. He had that mindset that he could help this team go deep in the [Stanley Cup
, 25, agreed to a two-year, $7.4 million contract Friday after he led NHL rookies with 30 goals and finished third in voting for the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year.
Toews, whose eight-year contract signed July 9, 2014, runs through the 2022-23 season, said he has no desire to be traded. He's scored 815 points (345 goals, 470 assists) in 943 games, all with the Blackhawks, winning the Stanley Cup three times (2010, 2013, 2015).
"I haven't been a part of that conversation," he said. "This has all happened pretty suddenly, but the answer is no. Chicago's my home, and I want to win here again."
