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Kings’ Sutter on Toews: ‘Other than what I think of our guy, he’s the best captain in hockey’

Jonathan Toews

Chicago Blackhawks’ Jonathan Toews (19) reacts to a call during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Coyotes in Chicago, Monday, April 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

AP

Considering his own captain, Dustin Brown, led the Kings to their first-ever Stanley Cup last season, Darryl Sutter’s praise of Jonathan Toews is pretty remarkable.

“Other than what I think of our guy, he’s the best captain in hockey,” LA’s head coach told the Chicago Daily Herald. “Think about it, he’s already raised the Stanley Cup, so he’s got it.

“Everything he does presents himself as the ultimate player.”

Toews, 24, is getting a lot of buzz right now thanks to TSN’s recent coaches poll, which suggested he was the “overwhelming choice for Hart Trophy MVP consideration in the Western Conference.”

The Chicago captain is having another solid year, pacing the top team in the NHL (33-5-4) to what could be their first Presidents Trophy since 1990-91.

Toews has six points in his last four games and has 44 points in 42 games. More impressive, and perhaps a better indication of just how good Chicago has been, is Toews’ plus-minus rating. His plus-27 rating puts him third amongst all NHL players this season.

Dubbed “Captain Serious” due to his maturity level, Toews has earned equal measures of respect both on and off the ice.

It’s something Sutter alluded to in anointing him the best captain in the game.

“Jonathan impacts their locker room, maybe more so than his on-ice performance,” he explained. “Just what he brings them.

“He is the consummate player.”