Signing Jonathan Toews would be the absolute worst blunder for the Golden Knights

It's been stated before that signing Jonathan Toews wouldn't be a fit for the Golden Knights. A deeper look reveals why that's the case.

Remember when I talked about the free agents that Kelly McCrimmon should stay away from? It was a comprehensive list that included players who wouldn't fit in with the Vegas Golden Knights, whether due to their position or age.

Believe it or not, one of those names happened to be Jonathan Toews. The former Blackhawks center has been out of the NHL since 2022-23 and is 37 years old. Yet, he's planning an NHL comeback after meditating in India and finding his purpose.

Namaste, I guess?

That's not all, though. Fanduel listed the Golden Knights at +650 to acquire the three-time Stanley Cup champion. Those are surprisingly generous odds for a team looking to clear off some cap space.

While Toews would be a good scoring addition to Vegas, there are some issues with picking him up. In fact, there's one gigantic reason why it wouldn't make sense. So why should McCrimmon take a hard pass on Toews?

Why Kelly McCrimmon and the Vegas Golden Knights should pass on Jonathan Toews

Of course, the alarming sign is being out of the NHL for two seasons. Being able to shake off the ice rust from traveling and finding yourself is enough to steer some general managers away. It's like seeing a pickup artist approach you at the bar on the Strip: nothing good ever comes out of it.

But that's not the only reason why McCrimmon should avoid him like a chick avoids a pickup artist with barely any muscle mass. Being one of the oldest teams in the NHL doesn't help, either.

We're talking about being in the top five (for oldest, of course) in relative age at 29.9, according to LeftWingLock. You're seeing what's happening with the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final right now. With a relative age of 30.8 (second-oldest in the NHL), they had to rely on the two best players in the world to carry them through the playoffs.

Mind you, the Panthers have a relative age of 29.5. That's a whole year younger than their Stanley Cup adversaries. That should also serve as a cautionary tale for McCrimmon and company. If you want to win another Stanley Cup, looking for players younger than Toews is a must.

Golden Knights fans remember what happened with Phil Kessel

Now, Phil Kessel is a beloved figure in the hockey community. His love for hot dogs and good humor make him a likable guy who can do no harm. However, he wasn't prime Kessel when the Golden Knights signed him for the 2022-23 season. 413 career goals and 579 career assists add credence to his name.

Sure, he might've scored 14 goals and 22 assists. But he looked sluggish on the ice, barely able to keep up with the transition game. In fact, he only played four postseason games of the Stanley Cup run that year.

That would be what you're getting with Toews on the Golden Knights. You're getting a shell of his former self, unable to keep up with the fast-paced nature of the NHL. It's not saying that he sucks as a hockey player. Instead, it's more along the lines of he can't do what he used to do.

Thus, it would be wise not to take a swing at Toews this free agency period. More viable options await in free agency, such as a "Core Four" member and stars of Canadian teams.