The Winnipeg Jets have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with local product Jonathan Toews.

The contract cannot be officially signed until the signing period opens on July 1, but a handshake deal will see the 37-year-old resume his NHL career within the city he was born and raised. 

“I’m grateful to be making my return to the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets,” Toews said. “It’s very special to come home and play in front of my family and friends in Manitoba. The Jets have been on the rise over the last few seasons and I’m eager to join the group and help however I can.”

Toews, who has been away from the game the past two years dealing with personal health challenges, will make $2 million in base salary and has the possibility to earning up to another $5 million in performance bonuses. 

The majority of Toews' additional earnings will come by way of games played milestones. Should he hit the 20-game benchmark, an additional $550K will be sent his way following the season. The same rule will apply at the 30, 40, 50 and 60-game points. Toews will earn an additional $250K per playoff round victory and ultimately another $1 million bonus if the Jets bring home the Stanley Cup. 

Following the conclusion of his contract with Chicago in 2022-23, Toews made the announcement that he would be stepping away from hockey to deal with the effects of long-COVID and the development of chronic immune response syndrome. He spent time away rediscovering himself this past year and has made the decision to return to the NHL. 

Winnipeg was a long-listed as a favourite, but on Friday, Toews deemed that report truthful, as he agreed in principle to the deal written out by GM Kevin Cheveldayoff. 

“We are excited to add a proven winner like Jonathan Toews to the Winnipeg Jets,” Cheveldayoff said. “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.”

Should Toews incur any of the performance bonuses listed in his contract, they would come off the Jets' cap spending next season as an overage charge. Should Winnipeg win some rounds of playoff hockey with Toews in the lineup, or better yet, take home the Stanley Cup, no one will care of the extra spending.

What is also to be considered is the fact that captain Adam Lowry will miss time at the start of the season. Toews' long history of leadership should help fill that void in the short term. 

Following Toews' contract, the Jets will have just over $24 million to spend on free agents Nikolaj Ehlers, Gabe Vilardi, Dylan Samberg, Morgan Barron, Haydn Fleury, Mason Appleton and Brandon Tanev - should the team be interested in pursuing some of its expiring contracts. 

Selected third overall in the 2006 NHL Draft, Toews has put up 372 goals and 883 points in 1,067 career games. He won the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015 while earning the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2010 and the Selke Trophy in 2013. 

He has earned gold medals for Canada at the 2006 and 2007 World Junior Hockey Championships, the 2007 World Championship, the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympic Games and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. 

Should this return to action go well for Toews, a possible spot on the 2026 Canadian Olympic Team could also be a slight possibility.