Livescore
News that longtime NHL star center and former Chicago Blackhawk Jonathan Toews might be interested in making a return to action has many fans and media intrigued at the possibility of him joining their favorite franchise.
It’s easy to see why: Toews could be a great fit on a number of teams, even if there are some uncertainties as to how he’ll play after being away from the game for the past two seasons. And it’s not just because he’s a popular name.
Let’s start with his virtually unmatched championship pedigree. Three Stanley Cup championships. One Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs’ most valuable player. One Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best defensive forward. And six All-Star Game appearances. Who wouldn’t want that kind of decorated talent on their team?
You can also see why some people see Toews as a particularly good fit on a Cup contender like the Toronto Maple Leafs. Another part of the 36-year-old’s appeal is his experience playing on an Original Six team market and in a city with all sorts of media ramping up the pressure on players. Toews understands what it means to be part of a team with major expectations on it, and in Toronto, he could step in and fill the Leafs’ current need for an experienced third-line center.
In fact, there are some strengths of Toews’ game as a center that will likely continue if he makes a comeback. He is elite at winning faceoffs and has been for his whole career. His 63.1 faceoff win percentage in 53 games in 2022-23 was a career high. And his hockey sense at both ends of the ice can be instrumental in proving some secondary scoring and consistency.
Whether Toews returns this season or the next, being a free agent is another reason for intrigue. He will only cost a team the cap space he’ll sign for – nobody has to trade assets to directly acquire this player. And you have to think Toews isn’t interested in breaking the bank in his asking price for another contract. It’d likely be more about the team he’d be joining and their readiness to go on a deep post-season run.
Toews has done it all and doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone, but the opportunity to enjoy one last run could easily motivate him to seek out an ideal spot and continue what could be a Hockey Hall of Fame career.
He’s not going to return to the rebuilding Blackhawks, but perhaps it’s a new start in Toronto, his hometown of Winnipeg, or an accomplished team like the Colorado Avalanche – three teams we agree would be good fits as Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli named them clubs to watch.
He ultimately may find the speed and pace of the game is now too much for him, but teams aren’t going to look at the downside of bringing Toews in. Instead, they’re going to look at the potential upside, and in that regard, Toews is a tantalizing-appealing player.
In his 15 NHL seasons, Toews earned a reputation as a selfless role model and terrific teammate and leader, and it’s highly unlikely that will change if and when he returns to the ice. So long as he’s mentally and physically ready to go, he’s going to be extremely attractive to more than a few franchises.
The choice of where and when he returns is ultimately up to him, but if he’s ready to get back into hockey’s best league, Toews has a fantastic chance to add to his legacy and put another team over the top. He’s already a legend and an icon, but the chance to add one more Cup to his resume is likely to bring him back to the NHL. Time will tell if that’s the choice he makes, but right now, teams are probably lining up to sell Toews on joining their ranks.
Related: Leafs’ Quarter-Century Teams A Reflection Of Toronto’s Recent Playoff Successes
Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or by visiting our forum
Read the full article here
Discussion about this post