Jonathan Toews’ name is suddenly back in the mix, not just as a nostalgia trip. The Toronto Maple Leafs need a centre. Could he help the team? Despite being out of the NHL for two full seasons, the former Chicago Blackhawks captain is reportedly considering a return. At 37, Toews would be attempting the kind of comeback few players even dream about, let alone succeed at. But according to Blake Wheeler, there’s reason to believe he can still be effective.
“There’s no reason to believe he can’t do it,” Wheeler said. “It might take him 25 games to get back to form, but once he’s in, he’s all in.”
That’s the bet teams are weighing right now—how much does Toews have left, and how long would it take him to get up to speed?
Toronto Has a Need at the Centre Spot
The Maple Leafs are a team that is very much in transition. Depending on what happens with Mitch Marner and the rest of the core, they may be looking for veteran leadership, depth at centre, and players who know what it takes to win. Toews checks every one of those Maple Leafs boxes.
He wouldn’t be coming in to lead the team in points. But he might be the second- or third-line centre who can stabilize a group, bring a championship mindset, and eat tough minutes in high-pressure playoff situations. If the Maple Leafs are trying to surround Auston Matthews and William Nylander with players who can lead by example and have nothing left to prove individually, Toews is a fascinating option.
Bringing Toews On Board Is More Than Sentiment
There’s always a risk with stories like this becoming too feel-good, too quickly. Yes, Toews is a three-time Stanley Cup champion. Yes, he’s a Hall of Famer in waiting. But does he still have the legs? That’s the unknown.
Still, there’s something attractive about the idea of him in blue and white. The team wouldn’t need him to be 2013 Jonathan Toews. They’d need him to be better than their current internal options—and to buy into what Craig Berube is building.
Could Winnipeg Be a Factor for Toews?
Of course, there’s the hometown factor. Toews is from Winnipeg, and there’s always been speculation about a potential return there. But if he’s looking to join a team on the cusp—one where he can be a difference-maker without having to carry the load—Toronto may actually be the better fit.
Even at 80%, a player like Toews still brings intangibles that a contending team craves: faceoff strength, penalty-kill savvy, and the ability to calm the room. The Maple Leafs have tried to find that in short bursts over the years—Jason Spezza, Ryan O’Reilly, even Mark Giordano—but Toews is a different pedigree.
Final Thoughts About Toews and the Maple Leafs
Wheeler’s comments are telling. Toews may need time to ramp up, but once he’s committed, he’s not showing up halfway. He’s going to want to win. And for a team like Toronto, where the pieces are close but not yet in place, that kind of focus and hunger might be exactly what they need.
The question isn’t if Jonathan Toews can play again. The question is whether Toronto will be bold enough to find out.
