Jonathan Toews will return to the lineup for Saturday's game against the visiting New Jersey Devils.

Toews last played in a game for the struggling Blackhawks (24-45-6, 54 points) on Jan. 28 and has been sidelined since then with what he has revealed were the effects of long COVID-19 and chronic immune response syndrome.

Toews said he is not yet ready to address any long-term plans such as retirement.

"To be fully honest, I'm not near making that decision yet," Toews said, per NBC Sports Chicago. "I don't feel like with what I've been through this year and this past season that I have enough clarity on what that decision is going to be."

Longtime Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews returned to the ice Tuesday but hinted his stellar NHL career could be winding down after 15 years.

Toews, 34, skated with teammates prior to Chicago's game with the Dallas Stars. It was his first time practicing with them since a game in Edmonton on Jan. 28.

He made a statement through the team on Feb. 19 saying he would be stepping away because of the effects of Chronic Immune Response Syndrome and "long COVID."

Ilya Lyubushkin is citing an anti-gay Kremlin law and fears of retribution at home in Russia for electing not to participate in the Buffalo Sabres' pregame warmup on the team's Pride night, when players are expected to wear rainbow-colored jerseys in support of the LGBTQIA+ community.

The team announced Lyubushkin's decision Monday morning. Lyubushkin, 28, is from Moscow, where he has family and visits regularly in the offseason.

Dave Scott will retire as chairman of the Philadelphia Flyers' parent company Comcast Spectacor and be replaced by Dan Hilferty.

Hilferty, who was recently named CEO of Comcast Spectacor, will succeed Scott as chairman of the company on April 17 and as the team's governor on July 1.

Brothers Eric and Marc Staal, who both play for the Florida Panthers, did not participate in the pregame skate Thursday night because they declined to wear the team's LGBTQIA+ Pride Night warmup sweaters, citing their religious beliefs.

The brothers were in the lineup for the 6-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, as they also were participants during team's morning skate.

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong will have the same role with Hockey Canada for the upcoming men's world hockey championships in Finland and Latvia.

Armstrong was tabbed by Hockey Canada on Thursday as part of a management team that will also see Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman serve in an associate role.

Shane Doan, who works in the Coyotes' front office, was selected as an assistant GM, while Hockey Canada senior vice president of hockey operations Scott Salmond is also part of the fold.

The Chicago Blackhawks will not wear Pride-themed warmup jerseys before Sunday's Pride Night game against the visiting Vancouver Canucks because of security concerns involving a Russian law that expands restrictions on activities seen as promoting LGBTQIA+ rights in the country.

The decision was made by the NHL organization following discussions with security officials within and outside the franchise, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to the AP on Wednesday on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the move.

Russia and Belarus teams were excluded by the International Ice Hockey Federation on Wednesday from all its world championships next season, including the women's event in the United States.

The IIHF cited security concerns for players, competition staff and fans -- because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine -- to extend the exclusion that will stretch beyond two years when the 2023-24 season is over.

"It is too soon," IIHF president Luc Tardif said about letting Russia return. "Too many risks."

The NHL Players' Association released its annual player poll Wednesday, and, unsurprisingly, Edmonton Oilers captain -- and Hart Trophy front-runner -- Connor McDavid earned plenty of peer praise.

This is the eighth time a player poll has been conducted, with 626 participants covering 14 topics that include most complete player, most impactful forward in a must-win game, goalie most likely to win one game and which player they least enjoy facing (but wouldn't mind on their own team).

The Colorado Avalanche are set behind the bench for the foreseeable future following their announcement Tuesday of a three-year extension for Jared Bednar, the winningest head coach in franchise history.

Financial terms of the deal, which kicks in once Bednar's current contract runs out after the 2023-24 season, were not disclosed.

"Jared has done a tremendous job behind the bench and certainly deserves this extension and to continue as the leader of our team," Joe Sakic, the team's president of hockey operations, said in a statement.