Jonathan Toews’ NHL return won’t include the Blackhawks — but one rival fits

Jonathan Toews and the Chicago Blackhawks are no longer mutually exclusive. That time has run its course, and should Toews enjoy a successful return to the NHL, he won’t be overseeing the rebuilding Hawks. 

Yeah, it would be something special, especially if Patrick Kane spurned the Red Wings and returned to the Windy City. Imagine that tandem showing Connor Bedard and the youngsters the ropes. There wouldn’t be a better way out there to pass the torch, but odds are, Kane and Toews will be wearing different uniforms and standing on opposite ends of the ice. 

With Kane likely to spend another year in Detroit, Hockeytown is also an unlikely destination for Toews since the Red Wings seem poised to limit the number of aging veterans in the lineup. That said, there is one team in the Western Conference that could use the three-time Stanley Cup Champion’s leadership. In fact, they play in the same division. 

One Blackhawks division rival Jonathan Toews could thrive with

Toews has been out of the league since the end of the 2022-23 season, right when the Blackhawks were breaking up what was left of the dream team. Still, we already saw Kane return to Detroit and put up good numbers, so I’m not saying it can’t be done. 

Plus, a team like the Winnipeg Jets could use a former three-time champion’s experience for a variety of reasons. But what about the Dallas Stars, if they can’t figure it out against Edmonton?

Toews won’t be good for more than a half-point per game, but as I said above, let’s not underestimate him. He’s still someone who, should he regain his feel for the game, could end up as a decent depth scorer on the third line, and that’s something Dallas could use. 

Toews can probably still play a solid defensive game, and the former Selke winner would’ve been a huge help in the postseason if he played in a primarily defensive forward role for about 13-15 minutes per game. Jake Oettinger would nod his approval, even if he’s one of the best in the world. 

The Stars are a great hockey team, but the Conference Finals haunt them

If the Stars lose it again, you can’t help but feel for their fans. And I know, I know, they won the Cup back in 1999, but the 21st century’s been kind, and rather deceptive, having lost twice in the Final since. Especially these last few seasons, when Dallas earned trips to the Western Conference Final in 2023 and 2024, but lost both times.

This isn’t to say Toews is the franchise savior, but more of the wise mentor, if we’re talking about character archetypes for hockey players at this point in his career. Which is why he’d make an excellent fit in Chicago, as it would just seem right if we transformed the NHL into some type of genre fiction. It just isn’t on the cards. 

But still, the next-best thing would be to be the missing link for a franchise that might end up so close, yet so far away again. It’s why that, if Toews makes an official return, the Stars should be his go-to team. And if they end up winning the Cup this season? Then he needs to sign with Winnipeg.