Top 5 Jonathan Toews landing spots: Best teams for 3x Stanley Cup champ to make his NHL return with ft. Detroit Red Wings

NHL: Philadelphia Flyers at Chicago Blackhawks - Source: Imagn
Top 5 Jonathan Toews landing spots: Best teams for 3x Stanley Cup champ to make his NHL return with ft. Detroit Red Wings - Source: Imagn

Former Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews is fully committed to getting back on NHL ice, insider Pierre LeBrun reported.

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According to LeBrun, Toews contacted his agent to let him know that he wants to make a comeback next season and has been working out to get in shape.

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Toews hasn’t played since 2023 due to long COVID. With that in mind, here’s a look at which teams could be in the running to land the three-time Stanley Cup champion.

Top 5 landing spots for Jonathan Toews

#1 Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks are the first place Jonathan Toews could look to make his comeback bid. Toews won three Cups in the Windy City and could be a solid addition to help franchise player Connor Bedard in his ongoing development.

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While Chicago may seem like an obvious destination, the management group may not feel that he's the best fit.

#2 Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins might be an interesting destination for Jonathan Toews. The Pens have lacked depth over the last couple of seasons and could be looking to add a 3C to slot in behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

If Toews shows he’s still got tread on his tires, the Penguins could benefit from having him in the fold following Malkin’s retirement after next season.

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But if Toews doesn’t work out, the Penguins don’t really lose much in giving the former champion a shot.

#3 San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks could be another team looking for veteran leadership to mold its young core. Like the Blackhawks, the Sharks have franchise center Macklin Celebrini, who could use the leadership and guidance of an experienced champ like Toews.

Plus, Toews would be a good draw for fans. Getting a renowned Stanley Cup champion would signal to fans that the team is ready to emerge from its rebuild and get back to the playoffs.

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#4 Toronto Maple Leafs

Nick Alberga of Leafs Morning Take reported that the Maple Leafs could be one of the teams kicking the tires on Toews.

Toews to Toronto makes perfect sense as the Leafs will be looking to add players with a championship pedigree. While Toews would hardly play a prominent role, he could be a solid replacement for John Tavares if he departs.

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If Tavares stays, Toews could be the solution Toronto has been looking for to play 3C. Adding a healthy and productive Toews at 3C would allow Craig Berube to deploy Scott Laughton as the 4C or move Laughton to Toews’ wing.

#5 Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings are another young team looking to make the leap from a rebuild to contention. While the Wings have a bona fide leader in Dylan Larkin, he hasn’t had the opportunity to lead his club on a long playoff run.

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That’s why adding someone like Jonathan Toews gives the Red Wings another experienced winner. The key here is “experienced,” as Toews' move to Motor City would reunite him with his longtime partner Patrick Kane.

Kane and Toews were the dynamic duo that led the Blackhawks to three championships in the 2010s.

Toews' arrival in Detroit would give the Wings a solid 3C behind Larkin and up-and-coming pivot Marco Kasper. If Kasper isn’t ready for a top-six role, Toews could fill in quite well with Kane running by his side.

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Edited by Nestor Quixtan
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