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Jonathan Toews Making NHL Comeback, Should the Canucks Take A Chance on Him?
Photo credit: NBC Chicago.
A three-time Stanley Cup champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist is reportedly contemplating a return to the National Hockey League for the 2025-26 season.
After the return of Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog last month following a three-year absence due to injury, it looks like another Stanley Cup champion, who hasn't played in a couple years, is gearing up for a potential comeback in the National Hockey League.
Due to the effects and symptoms of long-COVID, former Chicago Blackhawks captain had to step away from professional hockey, with rumors swirling in 2023 about a potential retirement, however that wasn't the case and the 37-year-old hasn't given up hope of stepping back on the ice in the NHL.
Jonathan Toews reportedly wanting to return to the National Hockey League
In an interview with Mark Lazerus of The Athletic just after the trade deadline in March, Jonathan Toews opened up about his journey over the last couple of years and shared that he is serious about wanting to make a return to the NHL in the fall.
"I'm not satisfied the way things ended in Chicago. 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. But at the same time, I still have some high-level hockey left. I want to be able to step away from the game having said that I've given it my all. And I still think there's something left to give." Toews said.
Toews said that over the last couple of years since stepping away from the NHL, he needed to get himself some time and space to heal physically from what he was dealing with and eventually, he started missing the game, adding that was his biggest sign that he wasn't done in professional hockey just yet.
"Everyone just assumed I was retired, but I think in my mind, I wasn't too sure for a long time. I just needed to not think about it, to just give myself time and space. Now I'm really missing hockey, and I think that's the biggest sign. I really miss the game and feel I have a whole different perspective and a new lease on things." Toews said.
While Jonathan Toews had been skating in Arizona earlier this year, he's going to need to get back up to game speed before an NHL team offers him a guaranteed contract and the most likely scenario we could see in the next couple of months is him landing a PTO, which would allow him to attend training camp and play pre-season games.
As for where the 15-year NHL veteran could could end up landing next season, it's too early to say, but with his former team, the Chicago Blackhawks, in the middle of a rebuild, it might be an interesting spot for him to provide leadership to a young group led by Connor Bedard.
Another spot could be his hometown Winnipeg Jets, who will more than likely be in the same position next season - competing for a Stanley Cup and with the experience Jonathan Toews has, he'd be a great fit in a fourth line center role.
Source: Mark Lazerus/The Athletic
Jonathan Toews is serious about his NHL comeback attempt: 'There's something left in the tank'
Jonathan Toews is serious about his NHL comeback attempt: 'There's something left in the tank'
| POLL | ||
MAI 13 | 861 ANSWERS Jonathan Toews Making NHL Comeback, Should the Canucks Take A Chance on Him? Should the Vancouver Canucks consider bringing Jonathan Toews in on a PTO or 1-year, league minimum contract? | ||
| Yes | 541 | 62.8 % |
| No | 320 | 37.2 % |
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