The former captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, Jonathan Toews, won't have a lack of interest this summer as free agency approaches. He is a former Selke Trophy winner, Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Mark Messier Leadership Award winner, one of NHL's 100 greatest players, and a three-time Stanley Cup champion. But he is also 37 years old and has taken two years off of hockey.
Toews has been training hard and it seems like he is as much up to speed as one can be without playing games. Elliotte Friedman named three contenders who will be among the teams interested in signing Toews for next year. He named the Winnipeg Jets, Colorado Avalanche, and Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Jets make a lot of sense as it is Toews' hometown team. They are competitive and have a hole up the middle that needs to be filled. Whether the Jets would want to continue to play Vlad Namestnikov at the 2C spot or have Toews fill in there, the team would have another option and get stronger up the middle where they lack behind Mark Scheifele. This would also allow Cole Perfetti to continue to play on the wing.
The Avalanche would have to make some roster moves to fit Toews in, even if he is on a cheap one-year deal, that is if they plan on bringing Brock Nelson back, which there have been rumors that is a possibility. Without any signings, the Avalanche have Nathan MacKinnon, Charlie Coyle, Ross Colton, and Jack Drury as their centermen. A couple can play the wing and would have to if Toews is brought in to help with faceoffs and defensive play especially. Colorado would be a sneaky team that I do think Toews could sign with.
The Maple Leafs are generally involved in many conversations about free agents as they are seen as the center of the hockey world. The team has a lot of things to figure out this offseason, including UFAs Mitch Marner and John Tavares as well as RFA Matthew Knies. Even if Tavares is brought back, which I don't see why he wouldn't be, Toews would be a strong addition to the third line. It would allow for Max Domi to play the wing and Scott Laughton either be the fourth line centerman or also play the wing in the bottom-6 somewhere. The depth would be better, and with the struggles of the top guys in big games, the depth is very much needed for the Maple Leafs to succeed in the playoffs.
It is just great that Toews is returning to the NHL. We are better off seeing a legend around the game, even if only for a year or two at most before he retires.
