SUNRISE, Fla. -- Jonathan Toews had a look of certainty on his face.

After the Chicago Blackhawks lost forward Patrick Kane for what's expected to be 12 weeks after a cross check Tuesday night by the Florida Panthers' Alex Petrovic, uncertainty loomed. But before Thursday’s skate in preparation for a rematch with the Panthers at the BB&T Center, Toews offered reassurances.

Could a Blackhawks team that currently sits in fourth place in the Western Conference standings, three points out of third, honestly make another run at the Stanley Cup?

“Absolutely,” Toews said. “We all know we can step up and produce and win a Cup with this team.”

Kane was having a career season, tied for the NHL lead with 64 points through 61 games. Five of his 27 goals were game winners, with both of those totals tops among the Blackhawks. His 37 assists also led the team.

“When you lose one of your best players, it’s always tough,” said Toews, whose 18 goals and 31 assists for 49 points have him second among the Blackhawks' production leaders. “With the year he’s having, it’s heartbreaking. ... He was having one of those special years. Things can happen.”

Now, a week before the NHL trade deadline, thoughts of finding someone to fill the void begged exploration. Toews, however, begged off on that score.

“You’re asking the wrong person about that,” Toews replied when asked if the Blackhawks would welcome a trade or addition to the roster. “We’re players in the room. I’m focused on my game. That’s up to the head coach and management.”

And indeed, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville addressed the possibilities.

“We like our team, we like our depth, we like our locker room,” Quenneville said, a look in his eye almost hinting that Chicago will be active in the open market for an acquisition.

“Anything you can do to improve your depth, that’s certainly something you look at.”

Chicago recalled Teuvo Teravainen, who not only saw the ice Thursday night but scored the Blackhawks' first goal. The team earlier sent Trevor van Riemsdyk down to the American Hockey League, but that seemingly won't be the last of the shuffling.

As for Thursday’s rematch with the Panthers in sunny South Florida two days after the Blackhawks capped an eight-game homestand, Toews insisted there is no incentive for retaliation.

“The best way to do that is winning the game,” Toews said.

On a sunnier note: Following that long homestand in frigid Chicago temperatures, Toews was receptive to the getaway south, particularly considering the injury to Kane and rumors of locker-room discord that surfaced earlier in the day.

“It would have been nice to have a few more days down here with the weather,” he said, wearing a large smile. “We will work on getting that win.”

As to the purported discontent, the Blackhawks saw those whispers bubble up during lunch.

“We were having a team meal, and were kind of laughing about it,” Toews said. “Not too sure where rumors like that can come from. In today’s age, anyone can post anything.”