Can Jonathan Toews be a life-long Blackhawk player?

The 2014 NHL season is upon us, puckheads, and I'm sure you all had a good summer. But as the preseason rolls around and teams start heading to training camps, the news of injurys, players, and teams starts circling the net. And a bit of interesting news out of the defending Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks camp comes from the captain here Jonathan Toews.

On the opening day of Blackhawks camp Toews says that, "Right now, it would be tough to find any reason to want to play somewhere else. I don't think there is any place better to play in the league or around the world."

While everyone is titled to their opinions, Jonathan Toews really makes a good case about why he is a Blackhawk for life. First off, he confirms GM Stan Bowman's expectations that Toews (and maybe Kane) would be Blackhawks for life. No word about Patrick's Kane reaction to the comments, but this is Toews talking.

His contract is extended through the 2014-15 season, but based on what I heard from Toews, it would be an expectation that his contract might be extended to the point where he would retire if he wanted to. Hey, he can follow the Teemu Selanne route if he wanted to.

Since being in Chicago, Toews has been named captain, won two Stanley Cups and became one of the league's most respected players. Hell, he could be king of the league if all the talks wasn't always on Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin. But he is very popular in Chicago and so that sits well with him.

Again, he has the potential to be a Blackhawk for life. However, I don't know how the money situation stands with this. If the Blackhawks can afford him, that's great. If not, that might change things quickly. After all, they have Patrick Kane they'll have to deal with as well. And if he wants more money, perhaps Toews can either take a pay cut or walk. But for right now, he'll enjoy his time in Chicago. Hey, he deserved it.