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On Jonathan Toews: Would YOU Bet Against him? Where he is Likely to Go… |
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Jonathan Toews
Captain Canada. In all likelihood, a Hall of Famer. Stanley Cups. Personal trophies and more… and also an unquestionable leader whom any team would love to add for a playoff run…
Jonathan Toews says he is coming back to the NHL. Anyone who knows him would be foolish to question his words, despite the fact that the 36-year-old has been feeling the affect for five years, out of the game for three years. and healing from what was originally thought to be a long COVID condition. His healing journey, took him all over the world, culminating with five weeks in India, undergoing an ancient detox and spiritual sojourn which has apparently made a huge difference in the way he’s feeling and given hope for his hockey future. It’s impossible not to root for this guy. Rare medical conditions are really awful. I spent the last eight years homeschooling and rehabilitating my son who has a very rare medical condition. It’s a minute by minute thing, filled with ups and downs and hopes and crashes.. My son has essentially redefined courage for me. He is now in college and doing really well.. Many of you have subscribed or watched his YouTube animal conservation channel, “Land of PUPPETARIA,” how far he has progressed is inspiring.
But back to hockey.
If you look on Jonathan Toews’ Instagram, you’ll find some pretty amazing pictures of him surfing and looking like he is in quite good shape. There’s a big difference between surfing and hockey shape. To imagine he could be back this year is really pushing it. But this is a guy who pushes things, so you can’t be against him. He would have to sign a contract with a team prior to March 7th to play this year in the playoffs. March 7th is the trade deadline.
There are two ways of looking at this.
One way is maybe he should give it a shot and with a shortened season and see what he has. I’m not sure Jonathan would do anything unless he’s 100% sure that he’s 120% ready. Don’t do the math…
So the other way..
Maybe he starts skating a lot and gets himself in hockey shape for the start of next season… That scenario feels more probable to me, but again I’m not going to be the one who is betting against him. And if he wants to play now, he will play now.
Where could he play, where is he likely to play, and who wants him?
You really can’t put a price on the leadership Toews would bring. To that end, there’s really no debate. However, the speed of the game has drastically changed since he left. We are talking about the pre-Vegas Golden Knights NHL. Vegas, in many ways, ushered in the “playing fast“ era that has just exploded in the NHL.
Where would he play?
To me the obvious location, and where I would put him on the rumor chart if I knew he was playing this year, would be his familiar hometown of Winnipeg. In actuality, right before he left the game five years ago, there had been rumors swirling for over a year before that he was heading to Winnipeg eventually. It was the worst-kept secret since Tavares to Toronto. The Jets are a strong team and in need of playoff leadership and another center, and man, would he fit well.
The only other scenario I could speculate on would be somehow joining back up with his buddy Patrick Kane, maybe not in Detroit, but in a contending city Patrick Kane may be traded to around the deadline. Those two are so close it’s crazy. When I covered the Olympics in 2010 in Vancouver, and both players were playing for USA and Canada respectively, I got to see them as they would pass in the hall, and that friendship is incredibly strong and real and goes way beyond hockey.
Tomorrow, I’ll be getting into the buyers and sellers for this season and the trade deadline.
Not nearly as easy a task as usual. In the East everyone is still in the playoffs, and the temptation to buy will be strong in some cities while other cities will stick to their rebuild. The West is a little different with a few teams that will be definite sellers and might be able to drive the price up because of a limited market… but that’s for tomorrow.
What’s the Buzz?
What do you think about Jonathan Toews returning?
Would you like him on your team?
Would you take a chance on him and do you see him as a good fit?
How much would you be willing to pay?
Join the Discussion:
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