While he might be regarded as one of the best to ever play the game, many wondered what type of play Jonathan Toews would be after taking two years away from the game.
The Winnipeg Jets center has slowly been finding his form after trying to find his footing early on has been admirable. Toews is far from the player who won three Stanley Cups, but there’s no question he’s starting to find a groove, though things have been tough for the team. Through 22 games, a lot of which have been spent in the middle six, the former Chicago Blackhawks captain has three goals and five assists for eight points.
There’s still a lot of time left in the season, but the 37-year-old is giving fans hope that he can be a difference-maker for the reigning Presidents’ Trophy winners.
On Friday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Murat Ates of The Athletic joined Tyler Yaremchuk and Carter Hutton to explain how Toews’ game has improved as the weeks have carried on.
Murat Ates: I remember the first day of camp, looking at just how he was fitting in with the guys. Looking at the plays he was making. Look at how he moved…This could have gone any number of ways, but I assure you he’s an NHL player. This guy is not washed All of those fears are not there. The guy belongs in this league. He belongs on this sheet of ice with the guys that he’s skating with right now. I think that keeping in context the distance he’s traveled to get to where he is and playing again at 37…that earns respect.
Now, that doesn’t mean he’s driving play night in and night out. It doesn’t mean he’s playing at peak Jonathan Toews levels. He’s getting second-line center minutes, and he’s not really producing a lot of offense with them. … I think he’s improved as the season’s gone on. They made a big bet and the bet hasn’t paid off yet. I think they’re going to be patient with it on Toews because they think it’s about the stress run and the playoffs, and his ability to play tough minutes at clutch time. He’s still got a little ways to go to completely cover that off.
You can watch the full segment and entire episode here…
