Could Jonathan Toews Betray Chicago and Wear The Winged Wheel?
Would Jonathan Toews, a Chicago Blackhawks superstar, join his old teammate, Patrick Kane, in Detroit as a Red Wing?
While the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings rivalry isn't as intense as it used to be, there remains some bad blood.
With the potential return of Jonathan Toews to the NHL after a two-year hiatus, he could become a highly sought-after free agent. A free agent whom the Red Wings could benefit from signing.
Considering that Patrick Kane has played here for two seasons so far, it's not such a ridiculous idea.
While Toews is aiming for a return to the NHL, he has shut the door on the team that drafted him and won three Stanley Cups with. As the new regime has a new direction.
«I honestly do think that chapter is closed, I respect what Kyle and the organization is doing," Toews said to The Athletic. "They decided a few years ago to move in a different direction and I'm all for that."
In 2023, Toews stepped away from the game in order to regain control of his health. He'd make trips to India and partake in "Panchakarma" and "Ayurveda" in order to improve his health.
Fast forward a few years later and we've gotten reports from Spittin' Chiclets on his return to skating.
While he's past his prime, Toews could consider signing in Detroit to join Patrick Kane. He and Kane could transform the locker room into something special, as we've seen them do in Chicago during their 2010s dynasty.
Toews's game would fit in Detroit's system, as a depth center with leadership qualities. He won't be able to produce like he used to.
Yet he'd be able to offer the kind of qualities we'd hope Larkin would be able to impart and push the team forward further.
"I want to go somewhere and have a chance to be myself and play the game,» Toews continued. «I know my best hockey's going to come through that way, instead of trying to be in that role where I'm still living with the pressure of our Cup-winning days. That era's over.»
McLellan, Kane, and Toews could be a transformation trio in Detroit, and he could sign here for a year and see how he likes it. Of course, the troubles of learning a new system are something to take into account, but we think he'd fare well here.
| POLL | ||
MAI 26 | 182 ANSWERS Could Jonathan Toews Betray Chicago and Wear The Winged Wheel? Do you think GM Steve Yzerman of the Detroit Red Wings should sign forward Jonathan Toews, an ex-Chicago Blackhawk? | ||
| Yes | 125 | 68.7 % |
| No | 57 | 31.3 % |
| List of polls | ||