Washington Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Washington Capitals, NHL or NHLPA
Jonathan Toews' return to the NHL is narrowed to 2 exclusive teams
Photo credit: NHL
When a player with Jonathan Toews' NHL pedigree becomes available, teams scramble to acquire his rights. Except, in Toews' case, the list of teams with whom he wishes to play has been narrowed to just two.
The free agent Toews is a natural leader, and has no shortage of playoff experience, having won three Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks, in 2010, 2013 and 2015.
Except, Jonathan has not played since April 13, 2023, and only saw 124 games of action in the two seasons before that, after Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome kept him out the entire 2021-22 season, and 2 months of the 2022-23 campaign.
"Yes, 100% Jonathan is feeling great and we're moving forward," Agent Brisson told NHL.com via text, which was then reported by Pierre Lebrun of TSN and The Athletic on Thursday.
Toews became an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2023, as he did not officially retire from the game he still loves.
"I'm not satisfied with the way things ended in Chicago," Toews said. "It's not about proving anything. It's just that there's something left in the tank, and I want to explore that. I want to go have fun, have a blast, play with passion."
With comments like that, coupled with his talent and leadership skills, one of Colorado Avalanche and Winnipeg Jets will be happy to get Toews in their team's sweater.
Jonathan Toews was a number 3 pick in the 2006 NHL Draft, selected by the Chicago Blackhawks, and was instrumental in helping them to win their three Stanley Cups.
He also won a Conn Smythe Trophy in 2010, for playoff MVP, when he recorded 29 points (7g, 22a) in 22 playoff games, and a Selke Trophy as the NHL's best defensive forward in 2012-13.
Toews won a gold medal with Canada at the Vancouver Olympics and 2014 Sochi Olympics, and was named a top-100 NHL player in 2017.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 13 | 28 ANSWERS Jonathan Toews' return to the NHL is narrowed to 2 exclusive teams Do you think that Jonathan Toews is a top 100 player in NHL history? | ||
| Yes | 14 | 50 % |
| No | 14 | 50 % |
| List of polls | ||