Concern emerges from Jonathan Toews’ press conference in return to NHL

On Friday, Jonathan Toews spoke at a press conference in Winnipeg for the first time since signing with the Jets. After putting on the jersey, the former Chicago Blackhawks captain sat down and sad hi to his mother. Yes, he is truly home.

Before the signing was made official on Tuesday, it had been reported across the league that the Winnipeg-born hockey star would be playing for the Jets on a one-year deal for the 2025-26 season.

Toews, whose recovery started with a trip to India where he underwent “an Ayurvedic detox called a Panchakarma”, has been training hard to return to the NHL . In 2022-23, he played out the last of an eight-year, $84 million contract he signed with the Blackhawks in 2014 that carried an AAV of $10.5 million, after missing the 2020-21 bubble season while recovering from COVID-19 and chronic immune response syndrome. He was then informed by general manager Kyle Davidson prior to the team’s final game of the season that he would not be re-signed. In August of 2023, Toews announced that he was stepping away from hockey “to give myself the time and space to fully heal and enjoy life to the fullest once again.”

The 37-year-old is well aware of the challenges ahead of him as he returns to NHL ice after two years off it. He adressed one important concern when he spoke about his legs being able to keep up on the ice with teammates and especially rival players.

“In my mind, I had kind of accepted in a way that I might not play again. I think that was a challenging thing to do, but at the same time, a very healthy thing to do.”

He added: “I still have the hands, the feet will catch up. Things have slowly gotten better since. I’m really happy about where I’m at.”

Toews admitted that he started skating again in February, and so far, he’s been feeling good. He is also hoping to feed off the excitement of the Winnipeg crowd, and getting back to the game he loves.

Some fans have shown some concern and are wondering how Toews will do once the puck drop at the start of the season, and if he will be able to keep up. I'm sure passion for the game will give him an extra push.

Plus, he gets to do it in front of his family and friends.