Jonathan Toews’ camp officially green-lit his NHL comeback two weeks ago, when agent Pat Brisson confirmed the 37-year-old is “100 percent committed” and fielding offers ahead of the July 1 signing window.
NHL insider Darren Dreger identified two front-runners on TSN 1050 radio. Winnipeg is the sentimental—and increasingly strategic—fit. Toews’ parents still live minutes from Canada Life Centre, and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff wants a defensive-zone ace behind Mark Scheifele for deep playoff runs. Their projected $9 million in cap space gives them flexibility to structure a one-year, bonus-laden pact built around milestones for games played and points.
Colorado’s interest is equally intense, but from a different angle. Head coach Jared Bednar has cycled through seven third-line centers in three seasons; none possess Toews’ face-off dominance (57.3 percent career) or playoff pedigree. The Avs can offer a Cup-ready roster and altitude-friendly sports-science program—crucial for a veteran managing Chronic Immune Response Syndrome. Expect GM Chris MacFarland to dangle an A-plus performance bonus package to offset a league-minimum base.
How Toronto and Tampa Fit Toews into Their Cup Plans
Toronto quietly reached out to Brisson last week, per local media reports. Brad Treliving needs bottom-six leadership and penalty-kill help; Toews checks both boxes while insulating a young core that still hasn’t reached the conference final. Toronto’s pitch centers on premium minutes with Scott Laughton and Max Domi, plus off-ice branding opportunities in Canada’s largest market.
The dark-horse? Tampa Bay. Oddsmakers place the Lightning among the top five destinations (+1500) as Julien BriseBois chases value deals to stretch every cap dollar. With Steven Stamkos gone, Tampa’s leadership group is thin down the middle. A veteran on a $1.2 million bonus-heavy contract solves two problems: a right-shot pivot for match-ups and a Cup-tested voice in an evolving room.
Projected Contract & Timeline
Toews, 37, qualifies for the NHL’s 35-plus bonus structure. Expect a one-year deal at $1–1.25 million base salary with up to $1.5 million in achievable incentives (10 games, 30 points, playoff round wins). Brisson told NHL insider Pierre LeBrun the goal is to have an agreement “by Draft weekend,” allowing his client a full summer of team-directed training.
From this chair, Winnipeg remains the logical landing spot—home-town storyline, cap space, and an immediate top-9 role. Yet Colorado’s cup-window urgency could sway the captain if term and role align. Either way, Jonathan Toews news will dominate the first week of free agency.
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