Jonathan Toews is looking to make his return to the NHL after taking some time off. He has had an incredible career and is looking for an opportunity. I don't think he will be short on suitors, but teams will be a little wary of the veteran after his time away from hockey and his age.
Toews won't be the same player he was before COVID as his previous two seasons after that weren't the best on a bad Chicago Blackhawks team. I think he should fit in nicely as a team's third line center, but might only get a one-year deal at around $1-2 million AAV, kind of how Patrick Kane didn't jump right back in with a multi-year deal either.
Toews is a winner and given the choice, I think he will sign with a contender. So these are some options that may be available to him on July 1.
The Winnipeg Jets are going to need to make some additions this offseason, especially if they lose Nikolaj Ehlers, Brandon Tanev, and Mason Appleton up front. They should have Brad Lambert coming into the NHL, but starting him on the wing could be best. There is a clear hole at the third line center position and Toews is from Winnipeg. Why wouldn't it work? The Jets just won the Presidents' Trophy and made it to the second round. Winnipeg has a lot of cap space to utilize, so they possibly could offer more, but if Toews wants to play for his hometown team, he should have the opportunity.
The Florida Panthers are back in the Stanley Cup Final and they just keep finding ways to make deep runs. Some of it has to do with who they add in the offseason and at the trade deadline, but the team has four UFAs at forward after the season in Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, Tomas Nosek, and Nico Sturm. Bennett is the least likely to stick around, especially given Anton Lundell was given a big contract and will move up to the 2C role.
The Panthers will be looking for a 3C and some bottom-6 help in which Toews would be perfect to step in. Florida has been good with bringing in players who have lost favour with their previous teams and seeing them shine. Toews isn't in the exact situation, but is looking for a new opportunity after time off and could thrive in a winning culture the Panthers have. They will be looking for a bargain contract as the team always does.
The New Jersey Devils are going to be making changes after the depth didn't perform up to par down the stretch and in the playoffs. While the top players are great for the Devils, there has to be a better supporting cast. Tomas Tatar is already one of the players that is gone as he signed overseas, and there is going to be more.
The free agent forwards include Curtis Lazar, Nathan Bastian, Daniel Sprong, and Justin Dowling, so all depth pieces. Dawson Mercer would be better used on the second line as the Devils need him to get going. That would open up the third line center role for someone like Toews, also allowing Cody Glass to be in the mix. New Jersey is a couple of changes away and their Stanley Cup window is open. Bringing in a player with the experience and pedigree of Toews could be a gamechanger.
