Will Jonathan Toews Make His NHL Comeback?

Published: Monday, March 17, 2025

by Jeremy Son

As the 2024-25 NHL season nears its conclusion and teams make their final push for the playoffs, one name that has been absent from the conversation for quite some time is Jonathan Toews. The former Chicago Blackhawks captain, drafted third overall in the 2006 NHL Draft, is a testament to the idea that statistics alone do not define a player’s impact.

Toews, widely regarded as one of the best all-around players of his generation, won the Selke Trophy in 2015, awarded to the league’s top defensive forward. His leadership skills were unparalleled. He was named captain of the Blackhawks on July 18, 2008, at just 20 years old. That same year, he received the Mark Messier Leadership Award, further solidifying his legacy as a leader on and off the ice.

Over his storied career, Toews became a five-time NHL All-Star and a three-time Stanley Cup champion, playing a pivotal role in the Blackhawks’ dynasty that saw them win three titles in five years. He was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2010, reinforcing his status as a clutch performer when it mattered most. In 1,067 NHL games, Toews recorded 372 goals and 511 assists for a total of 883 career points.

However, Toews' journey has not been without adversity. His last NHL game came April 13, 2023, against the Philadelphia Flyers, when he scored a goal in a 5-4 overtime loss. That summer, he announced he would step away from hockey to focus on his health after struggling with long COVID and chronic inflammatory response syndrome. While he made it clear he was not retiring, he needed time away from the game to recover.

Toews first battled these issues when he missed the entire 2020-21 season due to severe symptoms that, at times, made it difficult for him to get out of bed. His health struggles persisted through subsequent seasons, eventually leading to his decision to take a break from hockey.

Since stepping away from the NHL, Toews has embarked on a personal journey that has taken him to Costa Rica, Bali, and India, focusing on both his physical and mental well-being. He appears to be in a better place now, having prioritized his health over the game that defined much of his life. Yet the fire to compete remains.

At nearly 37 years old, Toews remains a free agent. Recently, he has been skating in Arizona, pushing himself through grueling conditioning sessions and showing he is serious about a potential NHL return. “I’m not satisfied with the way things ended in Chicago,” he told The Athletic. “It’s just that there’s something left in the tank, and I want to explore that... I still have some high-level hockey left.”

Toews has yet to engage in discussions with NHL teams, but his desire to return is clear. While it is unlikely he will rejoin the Blackhawks—who have moved forward with a new generation of talent—there may be teams willing to take a chance on a player of his pedigree and experience. The NHL has seen several players in their late 30s remain productive, but Toews’ situation is unique, having missed significant time because of health complications.

Skepticism surrounds his potential comeback, but Toews remains undeterred. “I totally understand that,” he said. “I realize it’s a lot of time away. The game is so fast and so young. But I think back to my younger years in the NHL—you've got to be kind of delusional sometimes and not think too hard about what you’re up against. You’ve just got to go do it.”

As Toews continues his training and weighs his options, the question remains: Can he satisfy the fire that still burns within him without playing another NHL game? Can his time spent surfing and traveling the world suffice?

“Only one way to find out,” he said. “Gotta give it my best shot.”

Jeremy Son can be reached at jeremy.son@student.shu.edu.

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