Jonathan Toews has been a lifetime member of the Chicago Blackhawks. But he will join one of their divisional rivals for 2025-26.
Toews, who hoisted the Stanley Cup first for three championship teams in the Windy City, is hoping to make his NHL comeback after signing a one-year contract with the Winnipeg Jets on Friday.
It’s been two years since Toews, 37, last skated in an NHL game, as a member of the Blackhawks. He has reportedly spent that time trying to get back into shape.
The third-overall pick of the 2006 NHL Draft, Toews has 332 goals and 883 points in 1,067 games. He has played only 124 NHL games since the end of the 2019-20 season.
Why Did Jonathan Toews Sign With The Winnipeg Jets?
Though Toews made his career in Chicago, he originally hails from Winnipeg, which means playing for the Jets will be going home.
Toews has made more than $120 million in his NHL career, so his return is certainly more than just money affecting his decision too. Winnipeg won the Presidents’ Trophy in 2024-25, and Toews is hoping he can add a championship pedigree that the group doesn’t have.
“It’s very special to play in front of my family and friends in Manitoba,” Toews said in a statement. “The Jets have been on the rise the last few seasons, and I’m eager to join the group and help however I can.”
Toews won the Selke Trophy as best defensive forward and was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 2010 when the Blackhawks won their first championship since 1961.
Though the team was too excited to withhold the information any longer, Toews’ contract with the Jets will not be official until July 1 — when the league calendar rolls over.
“We are excited to add a proven winner like Jonathan Toews to the Winnipeg Jets,” Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said, according to The Athletic. “It will be a unique opportunity for Jonathan to play for his hometown team. His talent, drive and experience will be a great complement to our club.
“We will withhold further comment until July 1.”
What Is Jonathan Toews’ Contract With The Jets?
According to The Athletic, Toews’ contract is very much a show-me deal.
Again, Toews had made hundreds of millions of dollars playing hockey, plus more in bonuses and endorsements, which means he isn’t playing for the money, per se.
Still, according to Chris Johnston of The Athletic, the deal is worth $2 million over one year with huge performance bonuses. Toews will receive $550,000 if he plays at least 20 games, 30 games, 40 games, 50 games then 60 games, and he will make $500,000 if he plays 50 games and the Jets make the playoffs.
If Toews plays 50 percent of the Jets’ games, and they win the first, second or third rounds, Toews will earn an additional $250,000.
Toews will collect an additional $1 million bonus if the Jets win the Stanley Cup, and he plays at least 50 percent of their playoff games.
If all bonuses are satisfied, Toews’ contract could be worth $7 million for 2025-26. However, the Jets have only once made the third round over two stints as an organization from 1979-96 and 2011-25 — in 2018 where they lost to the Vegas Golden Knights.
But if Toews is healthy, he should play — even if he’s in a depth role like a fourth-line center. Toews has not played fewer than 50 regular-season games in any season except for 2012-13, when the regular season was only 48 games long due to that season’s lockout.
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