Toews no closer to return to ice

Jonathan Toews hasn’t had any real setbacks in his recovery from a back injury. But he doesn’t appear to be making any progress, either.

Coach Joel Quenneville had hoped that Toews would skate Friday morning before the Blackhawks’ game against the Rangers, but instead he was held off the ice for the seventh consecutive day. He has missed eight consecutive games, and it’s highly unlikely that he plays Sunday against the Stars.

“We were hoping that he was going to try it today, but we’ll see tomorrow how it progresses,” Quenneville said.

The Hawks are being extra cautious with Toews. Aside from a brief skate last Sunday morning, he hasn’t practiced since Dec. 2.

Brent Seabrook, who left Tuesday’s game with an upper- body injury after appearing to hit the back of his head on the ice, didn’t skate Friday, either. He’s questionable at best for Sunday’s game.

“We’ll need them on the ice before we get a better idea of that,” Quenneville said.

Friday’s game was only the second game Seabrook has missed since the start of the 2013- 14 season. He has played at least 81 games in seven of his 10 seasons.

“It’s a little bit quieter without him, that’s for sure,” Duncan Keith said. “On top of everything he brings off the ice for us, he’s been such a durable, important player for this team, this organization. When he’s not out there, it’s a weird feeling.”

A legend returns

Eric Semborski, the Philadelphiaarea youth coach who was pressed into emergency backup duty last Saturday when goalie Corey Crawford had his appendectomy, will be flown in by the team for Sunday’s game. Scott Darling made the call to let him know.