Stanley Cup Champion Emerges as Prime Target for Maple Leafs After Pierre LeBrun Report
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
A new target for the Toronto Maple Leafs has been reported to be an option for the team according to a new report.
TSN hockey insider Pierre LeBrun has reported that former Stanley Cup champion and longtime NHLer Jonathan Toews is planning a return to the NHL and is looking to sign with a team this offseason.
Toews has not played professional hockey since the 2022-23 NHL season with the Chicago Blackhawks, dealing with lasting long-COVID related issues that have made it difficult for his personal health.
Now, it's reported that Toews is back to proper health and is looking to resume his playing career, looking at potential new teams to come back to the league.
Jonathan Toews Could Potentially Become A Toronto Maple Leaf?
The announcement of Jonathan Toews coming back to hockey could make the Toronto Maple Leafs one possible suitor for Toews as the team's third line center.
It could also make Toews potentially even the second line replacement for John Tavares if they choose to have him walk in free agency, setting up Toews as an experienced option in his place.
The veteran Toews is a proven winner, having won three Stanley Cups as captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, consistently viewed as one of the top players in the NHL in his prime and in the Hawks cup runs.
According to Nick Alberga of 'The Leafs Nation', Toews is an option for Toronto, which his agent Pat Brisson confirming the Leafs are an option for the 37-year-old.
In his last season two years ago, Toews had 16 goals and 31 points in 53 games played with the Blackhawks who finished a point back of last place in the league.
The Leafs will likely be able to get the veteran Toews at a reasonable price given his time away from hockey as well as his age.
Surely other teams will be looking at Toews and considering him as an option for their forward core, especially for playoff contenders needing cup winning experience.
Other Potential Challenger To Sign Jonathan Toews
Very likely, the Chicago Blackhawks, who Toews has spent his entire career with, are moving on from Toews and into a more youthful direction led by Connor Bedard.
One team that may be of interest is the Winnipeg Jets. Winnipeg led the league in points in the regular season before being eliminated from the playoffs by the Dallas Stars.
Toews, a native of Winnipeg, could fill a spot as a middle-six center for the Jets, with the team needing forward depth after it was announced Adam Lowry would miss 5-6 months after undergoing hip surgery.
Potentially, Toews could re-unite with longtime teammate Patrick Kane. The two played 16 seasons together and made up one of the best duo's in NHL history.
Kane is currently with the Detroit Red Wings, but is on an expiring contract and could sign elsewhere as a free agent.
Is it possible either Toronto or Winnipeg take a swing and go for both? It's a possibility, but one that would age up the Leafs quite a bit.
It's not known where Jonathan Toews will play next season, but wherever he goes could get a fairly cheap center at a reduced cost, something that will entice most playoff teams across the National Hockey League.
| POLL | ||
MAI 29 | 554 ANSWERS Stanley Cup Champion Emerges as Prime Target for Maple Leafs After Pierre LeBrun Report Should the Toronto Maple Leafs sign Jonathan Toews? | ||
| Yes | 298 | 53.8 % |
| No | 256 | 46.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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