Jonathan Toews already gets interest from Canadian team after posting health update

Fans have been missing star forward Jonathan Toews and he finally took to Instagram on Thursday to release an update on his health and how he’s going about getting back to full strength. Back in 2023, Toews announced that he was stepping away but not retiring in an effort to get healthy. On Thursday, he shared how he was spending time in India “undergoing an Ayurvedic detox called a Panchakarma.”

“As some of you may know, I’ve been on a bit of a healing journey. I’ve had many ups and downs, brief moments of hope working with a whole bunch of different doctors and modalities, followed by doubting if things would ever improve,” Toews wrote along with pictures he posted. “But I recently spent 5 weeks in India undergoing an Ayurvedic detox called a Panchakarma, and I’m happy to say things are trending.

“Ayurveda translates to ‘Knowledge of Life’ and has been the healing science of India for over 5,000 years. This system views our bodies as delicate ecosystems, influenced by everything we consume as far as energy, information, thoughts, feelings, and food. In short, it teaches that our health can thrive when we learn to simplify our lives, create space for stillness and better align ourselves with nature’s rhythms. A Panchakarma is a healing protocol designed to restore your health by cleansing and releasing toxins stored deep in the body.

“It’s too long of a story to share all the details here, but it’s been almost 5 years of searching for a way to heal the inflammatory and immune system issues that took me out of hockey. The wisdom of Ayurveda has taught me that everything I experience, I am responsible for. Not only did it teach me better diet choices specific to my body type, it has deepened my intuitive relationship with myself and the world around me.”

As he keeps recovering, Toews remained a free agent and could eventually make a return to the NHL. Hockey Patrol strongly believes the Toronto Maple Leafs should go after him.

“ Brad Treliving should gauge his interest, as he would no doubt bring a winning acumen, scoring ability and a true leadership presence to the locker room. The 36-year-old wouldn’t command the most expensive deal, and if he can perform he might translate that into an extension.”

Then more: “He would be a massive boost to T Toronto’s depth down the middle and adding Fraser Minten and Nikita Grebenkin on his wings could end up creating some incredible magic and they would learn priceless knowledge from Toews.”

In 2022-23, Toews played out the last of an eight-year, $84 million contract he signed with the Blackhawks in 2014 that carried an AAV of $10.5 million. He was then informed by general manager Kyle Davidson prior to the team’s final game of the season that he would not be re-signed.

Toews would be a tremendous addition to any NHL roster with his Stanley Cup three times (2010, 2013, 2015) he won with the Blackhawks. He also won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2009-10 and the Frank Selke Trophy in 2013.

Toews has played his entire career with the Blackhawks after he was selected third overall by the club in the 2006 NHL Draft. He recorded a total of 372 goals and 511 assists over 1,067 games.

Nobody knows if Toews will eventually make a return to the NHL, but what we know is that he is getting better and that he has not retire. Only time will tell, but I already feel fans, especially in Toronto, getting very excited about this possibility.