Jets sign hockey legend and Winnipeg native Jonathan Toews to one-year deal in the hopes of gaining an impactful second line centre.

The Winnipeg Jets are coming off a historic season, where they hit franchise bests across the board but with it coming to an end, they were forced to make some tough decisions. Longtime winger Nikolaj Ehlers left in free agency and the team really needed a big time signing to bring them back with one coming from a surprising place. 

Midway through last season, three-time Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Toews said he was looking to make a return to hockey with one true team on his mind for the return. The Winnipeg native would go on to his childhood team and give the Jets a much needed add to their lineup. 

There's been recent debate throughout the league on how the Florida Panthers have been so successful with one of the leading causes being Sam Bennett listed as their second line centre. Contending teams look at the Panthers lineup with a first line of star talent followed by another anchor up the middle with Bennett. The second line centre spot has become a priority for certian teams and the Jets will see a significant improvement in this area. Vladislav Namestnikov manned the role for a majority of last season and put up just under 40 points for the second straight season. 

Winnipeg would love to get a higher end point producer in this role and Toews could open up some doors. Although Toews is closer to a 40-point producer at 37 years old, he can fill the all-important role of the defensive centre that helps keep opposing offences at bay like Adam Lowry. The captain will be sidelined for a majority of the season and Toews could step into the role while Namestnikov takes advantage of easier matchups on the third line and hopefully leads to more points. 

Toews' role on the team will be crucial as early lineup projections have him listed as the centre for the second power play unit and could use his prowess in the faceoff dot to win clutch draws. Only time will tell if his return to hockey will be an impactful one but the main belief throughout the organization after seeing him in a workout is that he will be able to play a meaningful role as Winnipeg had to fend off several other teams to land their hometown product. 

In addition to winning multiple Stanley Cups, Toews has earned several gold medals with Team Canada and won the Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best defensive forward in 2013. He was also a finalist for the award three other times. Toews received the Mark Messier Leadership Award, showcasing his strong leadership qualities, which will be crucial in Lowry’s absence. 

Over 1,067 NHL games, he recorded 372 goals and 511 assists for a total of 883 points, along with a +148 rating. He added 119 points in 137 playoff games across ten postseason appearances, bringing a wealth of experience to the most intense and demanding situations. 

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