Feels strange seeing Blackhawks legend Jonathan Toews wear a Winnipeg Jets sweater

Jonathan Toews officially put on a Winnipeg Jets sweater for the first time in public during his introductory press conference. It felt strange to see him wearing another NHL sweater that did not have the Chicago Blackhawks logo on it.

Toews' decision to resume his NHL career is his right. At least, he is skating for his hometown team. It would have been painful to see him sign with the St. Louis Blues, or even worse, the Detroit Red Wings.

It is tough applauding Patrick Kane returning to the United Center wearing a Red Wings sweater. Kane earned unconditional love from the Chicago fan base. He makes it hard to shower him with love by wearing that darn Red Wings sweater. Even if the rivalry has cooled off, the Red Wings are still despised that it is not uncommon for a "Detroit sucks!" chant to break out at the United Center.

Even though the Jets are a division foe, there is no bad blood between Chicago and Winnipeg. Plus, the Blackhawks made it clear first; they no longer wanted Toews.

The Blackhawks decided at the end of the 2022-23 season that Toews was not coming back even if he decided not to step away from the game.

That is why seeing him in a Jets sweater is just strange.

He was supposed to be a forever Blackhawk. Instead, this will be like watching Michael Jordan wear a Wizards jersey or Frank Thomas in an Oakland Athletics uniform.

Some Windy City legends were meant to only play their entire career in Chicago, like Walter Payton, Brian Urlacher, or Stan Mikita. Toews should have joined them.

It became out of the question when the club announced it was ending its relationship with the long-time captain first and then Toews decided he wanted to make a comeback.

Both parties are correct in breaking up.

The team's logic was sound when you take out the sentimental feelings. Toews' health was in decline as he dealt with long-COVID and chronic inflammatory response syndrome. Those ailments were taking their toll on his game. He had just 15 goals in 53 games during his final year with the Blackhawks.

The physical nature with which he played also meant his game was not going to age well like Kane's. Toews had 45 goals during his final three seasons in Chicago compared to the 327 he scored during his first 12 seasons.

His assist production over the final three seasons also declined from 42 to 25, and eventually to just 16 in the final year.

That is not to rag on Toews. This is just looking at his performance objectively (which is incredibly hard to do). The numbers do not lie. Toward the end of his legendary run, he was a declining player before his health issues. Even if Toews was playing great, he likely would have left since he was not too keen on playing on a rebuilding team.

It still would have been nice for him to go out on his terms and with the Blackhawks. Instead, he will try to accomplish going out on a high note in his hometown.

Seeing Toews go to Winnipeg is also strange because he is willing to settle for a fourth-line role.

I can respect him still playing for the love of the game. This is also the man who helped revive a floundering franchise. This is the man who was the first Blackhawks player to hoist the Stanley Cup in 49 years. He was the Conn Smythe winner on that 2010 Stanley Cup-winning team that ended two generations of championship futility.

He is going from being an icon to a supporting role.

That will take some time getting used to, just like it will take time getting used to seeing him wearing a Winnipeg Jets sweater on the ice next season.