Unfortunate update on Jonathan Toews “according to people familiar with the situation”
Amid his recovery and his desire to return to the NHL, get the latest update below:
Once Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff commented on his interest for free agent forward Jonathan Toews, the spotlight quickly turned back on the veteran player and people familiar with his situation reacted to the possibility of him making a comeback this season.
As you know, Toews keeps recovering as he commented that his NHL career might not be over yet, and talks started to emerge this season that he could join a contender ahead of the March 7 deadline.
However on Thursday night, Pierre LeBrun provided an unfortunate update on Toews’ situation on Insider Trading on TSN, saying how a return will not take place this season.
“Toews isn’t planning on coming back this season. I wouldn’t bet against a guy with the heart of a lion, but that’s his intentions right now according to people familiar with the situation.
“Now, as far as the Jets, his hometown team, the feeling is mutual, I’m told. If and when he comes back next year, the idea of playing for the Jets would mean a lot to Toews, but there are other teams that have inquired as well, and that mere fact that some teams have called, I know it means a lot to Toews, who wasn’t sure what to expect when we announced his potential comeback plans but for this year: Doesn’t look like it.”
Many teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils and the aforementioned Jets have shown interest in the veteran forward, though it sounds like they will have to wait longer to consider making him an offer.
It would have been a fairytale for Toews, who is a Winnipeg native to join the Jets at this point in the season for a championship run. He also has connections with Cheveldayoff dating back to their time with the Chicago Blackhawks.
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.
Toews, who has resumed skating and is back down to his playing weight, but will be a top free agent later on, perhaps for the 2025-26 season.
