Two Canadian teams already in the mix to sign Jonathan Toews!

For the past months now, Jonathan Toews has shared updates on his recovery via his Instagram account, posting pictures of his trip to India where he underwent “an Ayurvedic detox called a Panchakarma.” In a recent interview with GQ, Toews also said that his NHL career might not be over yet.

“There’s a part of me that really doesn’t feel like my career is over yet, and who knows what this next part of the journey looks like, as far as getting back on the ice and trying to make a return to the NHL,” Toews said. “There’s never any guarantees in life, but I’m going to give it my best shot.”

As he keeps recovering, Toews remained a free agent and could eventually make a return to the NHL, and insider Frank Seravalli believes three teams are closely linked to the veteran forward.

On Sports on Prime Canada, Seravalli explained how the Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche are considered top destinations for Toews if he goes ahead and gets under contract.

“One of them is the Toronto Maple Leafs : a third line center has been on Brad Treliving’s wish list all season long. The other would be the Winnipeg Jets, the hometown team for Jonathan Toews. And the third would be the Colorado Avalanche in desperate need of another center. Three true legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, all of whom would be interested to see what the three-time Stanley Cup winner, and one of the most clutch players of his generation, would still have left in the tank.”

Seravalli confirmed that Toews has not only resume skating and that he is back down to his playing weight.
It is more than likely that Toews will use again his former agent Pat Brisson, who is expected to find the best deal and destination for his client.

If Toews is seeking a return this season, he will need to be signed to an NHL contract before the trade deadline on March 7.
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, after missing the 2020-21 bubble season while recovering from COVID-19 and chronic immune response syndrome. 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. In August of 2023, Toews announced that he was stepping away from hockey “to give myself the time and space to fully heal and enjoy life to the fullest once again.”

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. He 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.

Along with the Maple Leafs, Jets and Avalanche, the Hockey News also believe the New Jersey Devils might get in the mix. Some fans wonder if the Oilers could also get involved seeing that Toews’ former GM in Chicago, Stan Bowman, is now the general manager in Edmonton.

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. And that many teams want him on their roster.