Might former Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews return to the NHL? The far-fetched idea is becoming more plausible.
Although it’s unclear whether Toews, 36, has committed to attempting a comeback or whether he merely is considering it, something is brewing.
In an interview last week with GQ magazine, during which Toews mostly described the intense, outlandish treatments he experienced during an Ayurvedic detox last year in India, he also mentioned his hockey itch had returned.
‘‘There’s a big part of me that really wants to give it my all, to get back on the ice and see where it takes me,’’ Toews, who will turn 37 in April, told GQ.
‘‘There’s a part of me that really doesn’t feel like my career is over yet. Who knows what this next part of the journey looks like, as far as getting back on the ice and trying to make a return to the NHL? There’s never any guarantees in life, but I’m going to give it my best shot.’’
On Thursday, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported that Toews has resumed skating and gotten down to his playing weight and that a number of NHL teams are interested. (Toews’ longtime agent, Pat Brisson, hasn’t responded to several Sun-Times requests for comment.)
Suddenly, this seems real. It’s conceivable Toews might be lacing up his skates later this season — he would have to be under contract by the trade deadline March 7 to be eligible for the playoffs — or at the start of next season.
That would be heartening and fascinating in so many ways, and the hockey community would rally behind him. Although his return almost certainly wouldn’t happen with the Hawks — the organization wants to develop a new generation of leaders, and Toews probably would prefer to play for a Stanley Cup contender — Hawks fans would be especially excited to watch him again.
Objectively, however, this comeback must be seen before it can be believed.
Toews would be the 26th-oldest player in the NHL today. In terms of career games, had he played continuously since the pandemic hit, he would be even closer to the top of the list. Because he entered the league at 19 and enjoyed so many long playoff runs, he has weathered a lot of grueling hockey.
In that sense, maybe Toews will benefit from the fact he took the 2021 season off and hasn’t played in nearly two years. Maybe that will allow him to come back fresher and more rejuvenated than someone such as current Hawks forward Pat Maroon, who is six days older than Toews.
Regardless, it’s gratifying to hear that Toews thinks he has overcome the worst of long COVID and chronic immune response syndrome, conditions that had reduced him to a shell of his former self for some time.
After his final game with the Hawks in April 2023, he admitted he looked forward to letting his guard down and finding out where normal life might take him. It clearly has taken him far. His Instagram account practically resembles a travel blog. In addition to India, he has globe-trotted from Nevada to Indonesia, Slovakia to British Columbia.
But returning to professional sports after a nearly two-year absence would be difficult for anyone. Doing so after not competing at any level — or even practicing — throughout the absence would be even more so.
And doing so at Toews’ age and with his body, given all it has gone through, seems borderline impossible.
If anyone can do it, however, it might be Toews. His combination of talent, determination, work ethic and leadership are rivaled by few in the modern NHL, and he will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer as a result.
His contemporary, Patrick Kane, also blew past all reasonable expectations when returning from hip-resurfacing surgery last season, for what that’s worth.
Until Toews proves he can do this, though, a sizable dose of skepticism is necessary.