NHL insider David Pagnotta has revealed that Jonathan Toews intends to come to an agreement by the NHL Draft with a team, although he can't sign until July 1st.
Veteran centre and three-time Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Toews has generated significant interest from multiple teams and is beginning to narrow down his options.
Toews, 37, is not eligible to sign a new contract until free agency opens on July 1, but he and his agent Pat Brisson are fully engaged in contract discussions with teams, and now we have an additional update on this.
According to The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta, Toews and his camp are expected to make a decision by this month's NHL Draft as to which team he would like to sign with.
Toews last played in the NHL after the 2022-23 season and revealed, at the time, that he would have to leave the game primarily due to the effects of what he described as long COVID and chronic immune response syndrome.
The Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs are two of the teams that have expressed interest in Toews, with Winnipeg being a frontrunner due to Toews being a local boy there.
The three-time Stanley Cup champion is expected to sign a short-term contract, likely a one-year deal that may include various goal-oriented bonuses, such as games played and points or goals totals.
Toews accumulated 372 goals and 511 assists for 883 points over his illustrious career, which was also highlighted by winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as Playoffs MVP in 2010 when Chicago won the Stanley Cup.
No matter which team he chooses to sign with, he will definitely have a lot of media and fan attention following his every move next season.
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