Jonathan Toews linked to Canadian contender ahead of free agency!

At the end of the 2022-23 season, it was confirmed that captain Jonathan Toews had played last game as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks. It’s an end of an era for him in Chicago, but it does not sound like it’s the end of his time in the National Hockey League just yet.

According to Mark Spector of Sportsnet, Toews might be getting a shot with the Edmonton Oilers during free agency. Here is what he reports:

“There is some talk in Edmonton about Jonathan Toews at 4C, pushing the newly re-signed Derek Ryan to a preferred spot at right wing. Toews is at a crossroads, done with the Blackhawks but reportedly unsure about what comes next.

At 35, Toews would be a one-year, $1-million signing, and could potentially help a young Ryan McLeod the way Mattias Ekholm did Bouchard last season.

But there are serious issues ongoing with Toews, whose health has betrayed him in recent years. Duncan Keith, the Oilers scout/advisor whose portfolio will be increased by Holland this coming season, has been put in charge of monitoring the Toews front.

Toews needs to get his head around hitting the gym for one more run at a Cup before his Hall of Fame career comes to a close. If not, then it’s been a helluva run. But given his age, the Oilers — or any team — can’t have 50 per cent of whatever Toews has left in the tank.

They’ll need it all, and he’ll have to figure out if he is willing and able to give it.”

There’s no guarantee that Toews will be healthy enough to return next season, but that won’t stop the Oilers from looking into the possibility of signing him, especially if Keith is the one approaching him with the idea.

This will be fun to follow as we get close to July, 1st.

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