Potential Maple Leafs target Jonathan Toews resumes skating, aims to return for 2025-26 season

Jonathan Toews, a player the Toronto Maple Leafs were reportedly monitoring as a centre option, has recently resumed skating in preparation for a comeback attempt in the 2025-26 season.

Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported on January 2nd during an appearance on NHL Coast to Coast that the Leafs were one of the teams to keep an eye on regarding Toews for either this season or next season. Given that the trade deadline has passed and any new additions to teams are not eligible for the playoffs, that means his return cannot be until the next campaign.

When speaking with The Athletic’s Mark Lazerus on Monday, Toews confirmed that he had no intentions of returning ahead of the March 7th trade deadline given it was not realistic, but has that burning passion for hockey and wants to give it another try.

“I’m not satisfied the way things ended in Chicago. It’s not about proving anything. It’s just that there’s something left in the tank and I want to explore that,” he said. “I want to go have fun, have a blast, play with passion. But at the same time, I still have some high-level hockey left. I want to be able to step away from the game having said that I’ve given it my all. And I still think there’s something left to give.”

Toews added that he has not had any contact from any NHL teams just yet and while he understands people’s skepticism of him pulling off a comeback attempt, he is going to give it his best shot anyway. He also revealed that he started doing conditioning skates down in Arizona a few weeks ago to prepare for a potential return in 2026-26.

There is reason to believe that Toews could work as a fourth-line option for the Leafs next year presuming he is healthy enough to play. Head coach Craig Berube would not want to overexert Toews and he would have to work his way up the depth chart, with Auston Matthews, Max Domi, and recently acquired Scott Laughton on the roster, while John Tavares appears likely to return.

Of course, the other two teams Seravalli listed as ones to keep an eye on regarding Toews can always circle back and ramp up the competition though things could change between now and July 1st. The Avalanche shored up their centre depth by acquiring Brock Nelson and Charlie Coyle, while the Jets still have depth concerns down the middle and have the added bonus of being his hometown team.

While it remains to be seen if Toews will indeed be able to play in an NHL game for the first time since April 13, 2023, he is giving it a try and you can expect GM Brad Treliving to continue to keep an eye on the veteran centre.