SportsHockeyMaple Leafs

Could Toews make NHL comeback with Toronto Maple Leafs? NHL insider says it's possible

Adam Laskaris
Adam Laskaris
|
Jan 3 2025, 5:10 pm
Could Toews make NHL comeback with Toronto Maple Leafs? NHL insider says it's possible
David Banks/Imagn Images

If the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in adding to their forward depth ahead of next month’s trade deadline, a future Hall of Fame centre just might end up being on their target list.

NHL insider Frank Seravalli was on Thursday Night’s Prime Video Coast to Coast show with Andi Petrillo and speculated about a possible NHL comeback for Jonathan Toews, who last played in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks in April 2023.

“It’s been almost two calendar years since we’ve seen Jonathan Toews on the ice, but I can tell you that there’s no shortage of teams whose interest peaked over the holidays when Toews detailed his five-week healing journey in India as he’s been suffering from Chronic Inflammatory Response Disorder,” said Seravalli. “He’s feeling the best he has in years and hinted in that story that he might want to resume his NHL career.”

In 1,067 games for Chicago, Toews put up 372 goals and 511 assists, leading the team to Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013, and 2015 as the team’s captain.

“I’m told that multiple teams expressed interest in Toews, a potential return, to his agent, Pat Brisson from CAA Sports. They’re not entirely sure yet as to whether or not Toews might try and resume playing this year, in which case he’d have to be on a reserve list by the trade deadline on March 7 or if this is something that will wait until next year,” Seravalli added.

Seravalli then listed the Leafs, the Colorado Avalanche, and the Winnipeg Jets as possible landing spots for Toews.

“A third-line centre has been on [Leafs general manager] Brad Treliving’s wishlist all season long,” Seravalli said. “[These teams are] true legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, all of whom would be interested to see what the three-time Stanley Cup winner and one of the most clutch players of his generation would still have left in the tank,” he added.

Would Toews fit in with the Leafs?

The short answer: nobody really knows.

The longer answer: if he’s healthy, probably.

Given his circumstances, Toews’ contract likely wouldn’t be expensive for the Leafs, assuming he signs a one-year deal for the remainder of the season.

While Toews has resumed skating and would surely get an up-close look from whatever team might eventually sign him, he’d still be fighting an uphill battle to find an NHL roster spot. In his final season with the Blackhawks, Toews put up 15 goals and 16 assists in 53 games, a decent level of production from a mid-30s depth centre.

If he were healthy and productive, Toews could theoretically provide some depth for Toronto, who haven’t seen much production from Max Domi, who’s contributed just three goals this season in 31 games.

For now, we’ll wait and see if Toews actually does make it back to the NHL level.

ADVERTISEMENT