Chicago Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Chicago Blackhawks, NHL or NHLPA
NHL General Manager Publicly Reveals Hope to Sign Jonathan Toews
Three-time Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Toews had resumed skating, could a return to the NHL and the Winnipeg Jets franchise be a possibility?
There's nothing more the Winnipeg Jets would like than to acquire former Blackhawks superstar Jonathan Toews.
Toews was born in Manitoba, and it would be a major coup for Kevin Cheveldayoff if he could convince the three-time Stanley Cup champion to sign there.
The 36-year-old earlier in the summer sought help to alleviate issues with his CIRS, and long covid spending some time in India part of the year.
Now, as he's resumed skating there will be suitors for the former Blackhawks Captain.
"Certainly if he's progressing to that point in time, it would be a real welcome conversation to see if there's a fit both ways," Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said via Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press. "I think it would be a great story for his career, too.
While Toews's career has already been one for the history books, finishing his career on a red-hot Winnipeg team that is sniffing the Stanley Cup now and in the future would be a great ending.
GM Kevin Cheveldayoff of the Jets has confirmed that he has put out feelers to Toews's camp.
"We haven't chatted in the last little while, but I certainly had some conversations with his representatives with respect to where things were."
The Jets under Head Coach Scott Arniel have looked like one of the best in the NHL and are just behind the Washington Capitals in the standings.
They currently have a record of 31-14-3 and have major some nice depth adds during the trade deadline in order to keep them shooting for the ultimate prize in the NHL, a Stanley Cup.
Something Jonathan Toews knows about winning, and his knowledge of playoff hockey would be beneficial to a younger Jets team who doesn't know about a deep push into the third round.
He could be a useful mentor to players like Cole Perfetti, Ramus Kupari, and Alex Iafallo.
For now, he will focus on conditioning and getting ready to step back onto the NHL ice which at times isn't forgiving.
"For him, it's going to come down to getting back skating on a regular basis and getting that level of conditioning," said Cheveldayoff. "I think he's going to have to push himself to get his body to respond and see how it responds. I think there's a lot of layers from that stand point."
Toews stepped away from the game of hockey in April 2023 to concentrate on his health.
Now he is poised to make a comeback only a legend could.
His last season in the NHL saw him post 31 points (15 goals, 16 assists) in 53 games with the Blackhawks.
Could he come back and win one more cup with the Jets?
| POLL | ||
MARS 16 | 599 ANSWERS NHL General Manager Publicly Reveals Hope to Sign Jonathan Toews Do you think center Jonathan Toews, a former Chicago Blackhawk, will return to the NHL and sign with his hometown Winnipeg Jets? | ||
| Yes | 372 | 62.1 % |
| No | 227 | 37.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
