Not long ago, Jonathan Toews made it clear that he intended to return to the National Hockey League in 2025-26. Toews last played with the Chicago Blackhawks in the final game of the 2022-23 season. Since then, he's been recovering and preparing his body for a potential return to action.
Before anybody knew he was going to take some time away, the Chicago Blackhawks had already declared that they would not bring Toews back. Everybody, including Toews, seemed to be at peace with that decision.
Once he became serious about signing, plenty of good teams started to line up. However, one team was deemed to be the favorite for a variety of reasons. That team is the Winnipeg Jets.
Of course, Winnipeg is one of the best teams in the NHL. They fell out during the second round to an excellent Dallas Stars team, but that doesn't take away from the President's Trophy-winning season that they had.
Signing with an elite team that needed center help up and down the lineup made the most sense for Toews. He would be able to play on any of the lines outside of the first, which is manned by Mark Scheifele.
The Jets are also the hometown NHL team for Toews. He is from St. Vital, so going back to Manitoba always made sense for him.
On Friday, that dream of playing in the NHL at home became a reality for Toews. He signed a one-year deal with the Jets, but the contract can't be registered until July 1st. The team already made it official on social media.
Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) on XThe kid from St. Vital is coming home.Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) on XThe kid from St. Vital is coming home.Getting over the hump in the playoffs has been an issue for the Jets in the past, including this year. A guy like Toews, who has had many deep runs in the postseason, will be a great help.
In addition to winning the Stanley Cup three times, Toews also has two Olympic Gold Medals and one World Cup of Hockey championship. The man has done a lot of winning. Character and leadership have been a big part of his game. Winnipeg could use some more of that after taking a nice step in 2024-25.
On a personal note, this is a win for Toews. He will finally return after being gone for so long. It is also great for the Jets, who need a proven winner with an elite mentality in the locker room.
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Per a report from Pierre LeBrun, Jonathan Toews and the Winnipeg Jets are in agreement on a contract that cannot be signed until July. 1 when the free agency window opens.
Toews will be joining the second NHL team of his career after spending the first 15 years of his career with the Chicago Blackhawks. The 37-year-old scored 372 goals and 883 points in 1067 games during his Blackhawks tenure, taking home three Stanley Cups, a Selke Trophy, a Conn Smythe Trophy and the Mark Messier Leadership Award.
Throughout his illustrious hockey career, Toews has proven that no matter the stage, his teams find a way to win. The Winnipeg native is a member of the Triple Gold Club, having won gold at the World Juniors, World Championship, and the Olympics.
At this point in his career, the Jets will likely use Toews in a shutdown role. Trusting him to drive a line offensively might be too tall an ask, but asking him to provide leadership, win faceoffs, and be potent defensively is exactly what he is capable of doing.
At the moment, no details about numbers have been shared, but LeBrun confirmed that the length of the contract will be one year.
It will be a one-year deal for Toews in Winnipeg https://t.co/qzjLiiOTVp
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 20, 2025
"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 David Pagnotta in a report he shared earlier about Toews' situation.
Throughout the process, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche and the Tampa Bay Lightning were pushing hard to sign Toews, but several reports indicated that his hometown team were always the favourite. In the end, the future Hall of Famer will receive the opportunity to play where he grew up.
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Jonathan Toews Looking To Make His Decision Prior To The Draft; Jets Considered a FavouriteThree-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. Three-time Stanley Cup Champion Jonathan Toews set to join hometown Winnipeg Jets, according to multiple reports.
Former Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews is set to join his hometown Winnipeg Jets, per multiple reports.
Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) on XundefinedIn a stunning twist to the NHL offseason, multiple reports confirm that Jonathan Toews is expected to sign with the Winnipeg Jets, signaling a long-anticipated return to the game—and to his hometown.
The 36-year-old Toews, who hasn't played since the 2022–23 season due to health-related issues, has reportedly been training and feels ready to make a comeback. Now, the former Chicago Blackhawks captain and three-time Stanley Cup champion is on the verge of joining a Jets team looking to stay in the Western Conference playoff mix.
Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) on XJONATHAN TOEWS IS A WINNIPEG JETMore NHL:Panthers' Sam Bennett Confirms He's Signing Extension
Toews, a native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, played his entire 15-year NHL career with the Blackhawks, notching 883 points (372 goals, 511 assists) in 1,067 games, and earning a Conn Smythe Trophy in 2010. His leadership and two-way play were hallmarks of Chicago’s dynasty years, and his presence in Winnipeg could provide a significant locker room and on-ice boost.
While the contract details have yet to be made public, the expected deal is believed to be short-term and incentive-heavy, allowing Toews to ease back into the NHL pace while giving Winnipeg additional veteran depth at center.
Sportsbooks have begun to take notice. The Jets, previously listed around +3500 to win the Stanley Cup on most major platforms, could see their odds shorten slightly if Toews officially signs and is cleared to play. While his exact on-ice role remains to be seen, his playoff experience and championship pedigree add intangible value, particularly in a Western Conference wide open behind favorites like Edmonton and Dallas.
For futures bettors, this move may represent a low-risk, high-upside play. If Toews stays healthy and contributes on special teams or in key faceoff situations, Winnipeg's depth could give them a serious edge come spring.
Keep an eye on updated odds as the signing becomes official—sharper markets may react early.
More NHL: 2026 Stanley Cup Odds: Oilers, Panthers Lead Early Contenders But One Unexpected Favourite Emerges
Czech defenseman Michal Kempný, 34, has signed a one-year contract with Brynäs IF, the Gävle-based SHL club announced on Friday.
“It’s an honor to be part of such a fantastic organization with a proud tradition and passionate fanbase,” said Kempný. “I look forward to meeting everyone in the organization and becoming part of the Brynäs family. I can’t wait to get started.”
“Michal is a player who has won at several different levels in his career,” said Brynäs sports director Johan Alcén. “He has incredible experience and is a guy who is driven by competition and wants to win. We’ve received many great references for Michal and it feels really good and exciting that Michal will play for us.”
Originally from Hodonín in southeastern Czechia, Kempný played junior hockey just across the border in Skalica, Slovakia and then played in the Czech Extraliga for Kometa Brno and Slavia Prague and for one season in the KHL for Avangard Omsk.
Never drafted by an NHL team, Kempný signed as a free agent with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2016 at age 26. From 2016 to 2022, he played 247 NHL regular-season games for the Hawks and Washington Capitals, recording 63 points and 146 penalty minutes. He also recorded six points in 30 playoff games and was a member of Washington’s 2018 Stanley Cup championship team.
Kempný signed as a free agent with the Seattle Kraken in 2022 but was assigned to the AHL and, after two games, his contract was terminated by mutual agreement. He then signed with Sparta Prague on Oct. 25, 2022, where he spent the following three seasons.
There Will Be A New Czech Champion - Třinec's 5-Year Reign Ended By Sparta
After
five long years, Oceláři Třinec’s reign as Extraliga champion is
over, following the team’s quarterfinal defeat at the hands of
Sparta Prague before a sellout crowd of 17,220 at O2 Arena on Monday.
Internationally, Kempný has represented Czechia at five IIHF World Championships, winning a gold medal on home ice in 2024, and at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Kempný joins a Brynäs team that is coming off a season in which it shattered all expectations. Just after being promoted from the HockeyAllsvenskan, Brynäs finished first overall in the regular season and made it to the SHL finals, where it lost to Lulea in six games.
In addition to Kempný, the club’s roster includes ex-NHLers Jakob Silfverberg, Johan Larsson, Robert Hägg, Oskar Lindblom, Christian Djoos, Axel Jonsson-Fjällby, Mattias Norlinder and goaltender Erik Källgren.
Last year’s team included defensemen Charles-Édouard D’Astous and Victor Söderström – however, D’Astous has signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Söderström, whose rights have been traded twice in the past few months, has signed with the Boston Bruins.
Photo © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Robert Hägg Returns To Sweden
Swedish defenseman Robert Hägg,
30, has signed a one-year contract with
Brynäs IF, the
Gävle-based SHL club announced on Wednesday. Hägg
is returning to Sweden after spending the
past 11 seasons in North America, split between the NHL and AHL
in six different organizations. (Header/feature image courtesy of Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
Philadelphia Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet has officially completed his coaching staff, adding two respected names to help guide Philadelphia into its next chapter.
On Friday, the Flyers announced the hiring of Todd Reirden as assistant coach and Dylan Crawford as assistant/video coach, joining Jaroslav Svejkovsky and Jay Varady to form Tocchet’s trusted team.
OFFICIAL: We have hired Todd Reirden as assistant coach and Dylan Crawford as assistant coach, video. https://t.co/AnpHz7ySa8
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) June 20, 2025
“I’m happy to have rounded out my coaching staff by bringing Todd and Dylan on board,” Tocchet said in a statement. “Todd’s extensive experience across all levels of coaching, as well as his success throughout his career, will play a pivotal role in all facets of our game. Dylan adds another level to our video team in an area that is rapidly expanding and becoming more critical in the outcome of games and the way teams prepare.”
There’s plenty of reason for Tocchet’s enthusiasm. Reirden, 53, brings 14 years of NHL coaching experience and a proven track record in sharpening defensive groups and special teams. Most recently, he served as associate and assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2020 to 2024, overseeing the Penguins’ defense corps and power play. Before that, Reirden spent six seasons with the Washington Capitals—including a Stanley Cup championship in 2018.
Reirden’s addition could be a crucial piece for the Flyers, whose defense has seen growing pains amid roster transitions and prospect integrations. His experience in managing elite defensemen and steadying back ends will be vital as Philadelphia continues to mold its young talent into NHL regulars.
Crawford, meanwhile, represents the new wave of NHL coaching—where video and analytics play an ever-larger role in game preparation. The 35-year-old spent the last three seasons working alongside Tocchet in Vancouver, where his attention to detail and modern approach to video analysis earned high praise. With seven years of experience in video coaching, Crawford will help ensure the Flyers are prepared for every angle and nuance of the fast-changing NHL game.
Together, Reirden and Crawford give Tocchet a staff with a balance of experience, innovation, and familiarity. As the Flyers aim to turn promise into progress, this staff will be tasked with building a structure that maximizes the potential of an evolving roster.
Now, with the bench set, the work truly begins.