The Jets have a hole up the middle and with the news that captain Adam Lowry needed hip surgery on Tuesday which will require 5-6 months of rehab the team will need more help at centre.
Back in January reports began to circulate that three-time Stanley Cup champion and Winnipegger Jonathan Toews would like to return to the NHL after dealing with long covid. One of the teams he was rumoured to be interested in potentially joining was his hometown Jets. About three weeks later Pierre LeBrun confirmed that mutual interest existed but that it would likely be for next season.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Fast forward five months and Pierre LeBrun put this out on twitter today:
“Jonathan Toews reached out to his agent Pat Brisson yesterday to inform him he’s 100 percent committed to coming back to the NHL next season. Just spoke with Brisson, who says he will start taking calls from NHL teams on Toews now leading up to July 1. Toews, 37, last played in April 2023. He’s been working out the last several months to get himself ready for this comeback.”
Which was followed by this from Darren Dreger:
“Toews will have a long list of clubs with interest. The Jets will be front and centre when the time is right. Could be a great fit.”
He also added this:
“Winnipeg worked hard to acquire Brock Nelson at the Deadline. In the end, Nelson chose a deal to Colorado. Toews would slot in well with the Jets at 2C.”
Now I’m not sure, at 37 and having missed the last two seasons, he will be slotting in in the second line centre spot but it is definitely something worth keeping an eye on. With the next crop of prospects (Lambert, Yager) perhaps not quite ready to jump into duty up the middle this could insulate the team and add to the training camp mix.
Would you like to see Winnipeg sign him to a deal? As my colleague Drew Mindell likes to say “there’s no such thing as a bad one-year deal”! Share your opinion on our Instagram here.
