Jonathan Toews is making his return to the NHL.
But an injury will determine just how soon Toews can take to the ice for the Winnipeg Jets.
The Jets open the season Thursday, and they believe Toews can be on the ice.
He was placed on Injured Reserve (undisclosed injury) with a retroactive placement date, so he can be activated whenever the Jets choose to do so.
Jets head coach Scott Arniel told the Winnipeg News that they are hopeful Toews will be able to take the ice on Thursday.
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Toews is a Winnipeg native.
After the 2022-23 season, Toews announced he wasn't retiring but rather sitting out 2023-24 to focus on his health. He stayed away for the 2024-25 season, too.
Now 37 years old, the long-time Chicago Blackhawks star is back in the NHL.
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Toews won three Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks after being the No. 3 overall pick in the 2006 draft out of North Dakota.
In 1,067 career games with Chicago, Toews had 372 goals and 511 assists (883 points).
The Jets are likely counting on Toews as a top-six forward, so his health is paramount to their team success.
They open the season at home Thursday night against the Dallas Stars. And it'll end up being key information whether or not Toews is out there.
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