Jets’ Jonathan Toews hasn’t made decision on NHL future
We’ll have to wait to find out if “Captain Serious” will be embarking on the 17th year of his NHL career.
Winnipeg Jets forward Jonathan Toews spoke with the media on Friday, and revealed that he has yet to decide if he will be back playing in the NHL next season.
Jonathan Toews said no decision has been made on his future. He’ll use the next few weeks to reflect on the season, but praised the organization and #NHLJets players for making him feel welcome. Should he decide to return, he’d want it to be in Winnipeg.
Toews also mentioned that he will take the next few weeks to think about this past year, and if that he does return next season, he would want to rejoin the Jets.
In all 82 games this season, the Winnipeg native had 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points.
Toews, 37, came back to the NHL this season after a two-year absence. He took the time off as he was dealing with long COVID and chronic immune response syndrome.
He played this past season on a one-year, $2 million deal, so he will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
Even if Toews decides that this season was his last, his legacy has already been cemented as a champion and future Hall of Famer. Selected third overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, he debuted for Chicago in the 2007-08 season, putting up 54 points in 64 games. Following his rookie season, he was named captain of the Blackhawks, which is an honor he would hold for 15 seasons in Chicago.
Toews’ career with the Blackhawks includes three Stanley Cup championships, the 2010 Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, and the 2013 Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best defensive forward, among other accolades. He was also named as one the 100 greatest players of all-time when the NHL commemorated its 100th anniversary in 2017.
The Jets, meanwhile, will enter this offseason looking to retool in order to get back to the playoffs next year.