After not playing since the 2022-23 season due to Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), former Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews is attempting to return to the NHL for the 2025-26 season at 37 years old.
Toews' career in Chicago was remarkable with winning three Stanley Cups, being the captain since the 2008-09 season, recording 883 career points and being a top center in the league. However, there can be a challenge for Toews with trying to return to the NHL.
Not playing in two seasons and given his health can hurt his value for teams potentially interested to sign him. It can be unsure what production Toews can offer given his age and not playing for so long. For a team like the Ottawa Senators, his value can be tricky given the state of where the team is at for free agency.
How much and how long could Ottawa sign Toews for?
While it could be a better option for the Senators to stay away from Toews and pursue other free agents and re-sign players this Summer, that doesn't mean the Senators may not have some interest in signing him.
Signing Toews can add depth, leadership and a former big name player in the league to Ottawa. Signing a big name player moving forward for the Senators in free agency can be a big deal to draw other free agents. So, what could a potential contract for Toews look like if he was to sign in Ottawa when taking into consideration the past two seasons of not playing and the state of the Senators?
A contract of one year at around $2.5 million could be a fair offer for Toews.
The unfortunate truth for Toews is he will not see his last contract for the salary per year again. From the 2015-16 season until the 2022-23 season, Toews has a salary of $10.5 million per year.
Toews was worthy of the money at the time of the signing due to his success and importance to Chicago. Now in 2025, it can be unsure what production he can bring to a team.
A one-year contract for a team like the Senators could be perfect if they want to sign him. It's important that Toews gets used to NHL play again, so a one-year contract to get him used to NHL speed again can be ideal.
For a salary of around $2.5 million, it can be fair because it's questionable of what he can bring to the table. Along with that, the Senators will be attempting to be busy this Summer with trying to re-sign Claude Giroux, Adam Gaudette and Nick Cousins among the forwards. The Senators have over $15 million in cap space after extending defenseman Tyler Kleven for two years.
A contract at $2.5 million could allow the Senators to re-sign forwards and pursure other players in the Summer by signing them or trading for one. The Senators have been in rumors to be interested in Jason Robertson from the Dallas Stars with one year left on his contract.
Hockey fans will be excited to see Toews return to action after two seasons if a team does sign him this free agency. However, his value for a team like the Senators might be a tough one.