Jonathan Toews Linked to Western Conference Team, per Elliotte Friedman

Former Chicago Blackhawks captain and 3x Stanley Cup winner Jonathan Toews has announced his intentions to return to the NHL after a 2-year absence.

He's not played since April 2023 with the Blackhawks, not long after being informed that the club was turning the page on his tenure with them. He's also been hindered by symptoms of Long COVID as well as a 2021 diagnosis of CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome).

While there will be a handful of teams, including his hometown Winnipeg Jets, that are said to be interested in signing Toews, another contender on the West Coast has emerged.

Per NHL analyst Elliotte Friedman, the Anaheim Ducks are expected to throw their hat into the ring to land Toews this summer.

Considering that the Ducks are now coached by Joel Quenneville, who was the bench boss in Chicago for the majority of Toews' career with the Blackhawks, it would represent a decent fit for him along with helping him feel comfortable right away with a familiar figure calling the shots for the club.

Toews captained the Blackhawks to a trio of Stanley Cup wins in 2010, 2013 and 2015 while also earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the postseason. Chicago's Stanley Cup win in 2015 included a victory over the Ducks in the WCF.

Additionally, Toews has earned 6 different trips to the NHL All-Star Game while also representing Canada in international play, winning the gold medal in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the 2014 Sochi Olympics.