In 2008, Jonathan Toews bursted onto the NHL scene by finishing second in Calder Trophy voting. Two years later, he raised the Stanley Cup for the first time in his career as captain of the Chicago Blackhawks.
Toews was one of the most respected leaders and best centers in the NHL in the 2010s with winning three Stanley Cups, a Conn Smyth Trophy, a Selke award, a Messier award and being part of the NHL 100th Anniversary Team. Toews was one of the biggest pieces to the Blackhawks' dynasty in the 2010s with winning three Stanley Cups in six seasons.
Toews has not played an NHL game since the 2022-23 season due to being diagnosed with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). Now at 37 years old, Toews is planning on returning to play in the 2025-26 season, but the Ottawa Senators might want to consider not signing him this Summer.
Sens should stay away from Blackhawks legend
While Toews has recorded 883 points in 1,067 career games, it might not be worth singing the former Chicago captain for the Senators with his low production at the end of his time in Chicago before needing to leave the NHL in 2023.
The final two seasons of Toews' career in Chicago went rough. In the 2021-22 season, Toews recorded 37 points. In the 2022-23 season, Toews recorded 31 points in 53 games played. Toews' -31 rating in the 2022-23 season was the lowest in his career for a single season.
The Senators have a bigger free agent on the team in Claude Giroux this Summer, which the Senators and their fans want to see again wearing a Senators jersey. Giroux is healthier and more familiar with Ottawa's system than Toews would be.
Toews' health and not playing in two seasons could put a scare into other teams who potentially may want to sign him. With not playing in a long time and having health concerns, the Senators can be worried that Toews can miss a chunk of the season. Not only that, it can take some time for Toews to get used to NHL play again after being out for two seasons.
Along with Toews' health and Ottawa trying to re-sign Giroux, the Senators have other free agents on the team to worry about with Adam Gaudette, Nick Cousins and Fabian Zetterlund.
Another thing that can raise question surrounding Toews is a contract. It can be unsure how much Toews may pursue for a player who hasn't played in two seasons.
While Toews would be able to provide leadership to Ottawa with being a previous captain, the Senators have captain Brady Tkachuk, David Perron, Thomas Chabot and other quality leaders on the roster that provide leadership. Staying away from Toews would be a better option for the Senators this Summer.