Jonathan Toews Will Sign With Winnipeg, Not Colorado, For 2025-26 Season

Jonathan Toews has chosen a destination for his NHL comeback in 2025-26. And it will be with a different Central Division team.

The Winnipeg Jets are signing the 37-year-old three-time Stanley Cup champion to a one-year contract. The deal was agreed to, but can’t be signed until July 1.

Toews has not played in either of the last two seasons after suffering from long Covid. It had been rumored since earlier in the calendar year that a comeback was on his mind, and that he’d been feeling better than he has in years. It was reported several days ago that the longtime Chicago Blackhawks captain was deciding between the Jets and the Avalanche.

I’m not sure what the Avs’ offer was for Toews, or if it was the team that ultimately backed out or Toews who chose Winnipeg. But the Jets’ reported bonus-laden offer makes a ton of sense for them and their lack of center depth. Not so much for Colorado.

Toews will make $2 million as a base salary, which in itself might already be out of the Avs’ budget barring something notable like a Charlie Coyle trade. On top of that, Toews will earn games played and playoff success bonuses that could bring his salary to as high as $7 million. If any of his bonuses don’t fit under the Jets’ cap for 2025-26, it will carry over as an overage to the following year.

The #NHLJets will sign Toews on July 1 to $2M Cap Hit & $7M AAV deal

Base $2M
Perf Bonuses total $5M:
-$2.75M for various GP thresholds
-$1.25M playoff bonuses
-$1M winning the cup

Rep'd by Pat Brisson @CAAHockey https://t.co/9XCxKDRt8c

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) June 20, 2025