Three-time Stanley Cup winner, Conn Smythe Trophy winner, and former Chicago Blackhawks centre Jonathan Toews is planning a return to the NHL, and a recent report states that Toews is looking to make his decision prior to the 2025 NHL draft, and the Winnipeg Jets are considered one of his possible landing spots.
The report came from David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, and he mentioned that Toews and his agent, Pat Brisson, are fully engaged in contract discussions with teams despite Toews being unable to sign with a team until July. 1. The NHL draft begins on Jun. 27, which means Toews could have a contract in line with a team in two weeks.
A native of Winnipeg, MB, Toews is garnering a lot of interest from several teams. Still, at the moment, Pagnotta believes the Jets and the Toronto Maple Leafshave shown the most interest and are considered the favourites to land the 37-year-old.
"The three-time Stanley Cup champion is expected to ink a short-term contract, likely one-year, that may be painted with various goal-oriented bonuses, such as games played and points totals," said Pagnotta.
Toews last played in the NHL after the 2022-23 season and revealed, at the time, that he would be stepping away from the game primarily due to the effects of long COVID and chronic immune response syndrome. After spending two full seasons away from the game of hockey, he believes the training he's done has him back in shape and ready for a return to the NHL.
In his final season before stepping away, Toews scored 15 goals and 31 points in 53 games, another step in the wrong direction. Despite that, Toews has all the makings of a defensive centre. Throughout his illustrious NHL career, Toews was one of the best two-way centres in the NHL, scoring a career-high 35 goals and 81 points in the 2018-19 season, while winning a Selke Trophy in the 2012-13 season.
At this stage of his career, relying on the former third overall pick of the 2006 NHL draft to drive a line offensively would have a team underwhelmed. Playing him in a third-line role, with some penalty kill and power play time, would get the best out of him. Combining what he can provide on the ice with his known leadership, Toews could be a piece that helps a lot of teams get over the hump in the playoffs, including the Jets.
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Winnipeg Native and Three-Time Stanley Cup Champion Jonathan Toews Eyeing NHL Return; Jets Considered Front RunnerJonathan Toews hasn't played an NHL game since the 2022-23 season and is now 37 years old, but he is determined and believes he is ready to return to the NHL.