The Colorado Avalanche aren’t the sort of team that’s often mentioned in ludicrous rumors. We have the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Edmonton Oilers for that.
But there has been on wild rumor making the rounds online. So, it’s time to address it.
Notable insider Frank Seravalli talked about the potential return of Jonathan Toews to the NHL. Avalanche fans know Toews well as he is a former division rival with the Chicago Blackhawks. He had some fantastic years, leading the Blackhawks to three Stanley Cups in the 2010s.
However, Toews has fallen on hard times health-wise and hasn’t played since 2023. In appeared in 53 games in his final season with the Blackhawks, notching just 31 points. He hasn’t played due to a chronic illness that, according to Seravalli, Toews has found treatment for.
So, Toews is now pondering a comeback. Per Seravalli, a number of teams are interested in bringing the 36-year-old aboard. In particular, Seravalli named three: the Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, and Colorado Avalanche.
Seravalli’s rationale is that the Avalanche are “desperately” looking to add a center. Those comments come on the heels of the Avalanche overhauling their crease about a month ago. Here’s a look at Seravalli’s comments:
An update on Jonathan Toews potential comeback bid tonight on @SportsOnPrimeCA:pic.twitter.com/LUKrSaOAih
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 3, 2025
I have no reason to doubt Seravalli. He’s as solid as it gets. So, if he believes the Avs could be interested in Toews, there might be something to it. But I would say this: Jonathan Toews would be a reclamation project at this point.
While he could still be effective, Toews could plug a hole, not be a savior on a team that’s looking to contend for the Stanley Cup.
Toews is not the center the Colorado Avalanche desperately seek
Now, as far as the Avalanche desperately seeking a center, I would say there is some logic to it. At the moment, the Avs have Nathan MacKinnon, Casey Mittelstadt, and Ross Colton potentially lining up as 1-2-3. The fourth line has been a merry-go-round of sorts.
So, it would be the fourth line that might prompt the Avs to pull the trigger on a deal. But then again, why add Toews as a fourth-liner? There are much cheaper options out there to fill that gap.
As such, Jonathan Toews is not a solution for the Avs. If we were talking about the Toews of 10 years ago, he could easily slot in behind MacKinnon. Heck, I would say bump MacKinnon and have two destructive lines.
But this is 2025 we’re talking about. The Jonathan Toews we’re talking about may not have much left in the tank. Thus, if the Colorado Avalanche are looking to take a flyer on Toews, the move could pan out in the long term.
Bringing in Toews now with hopes of having him play a role on the team come playoff time may be wishful thinking. I’m all for bringing Toews in during the offseason. Give him a proper training camp and see what he can do.
Perhaps then Toews could provide the Avs with a solid third-line center to complement an already potent attack.
Keep your eyes on this rumor. There could be plenty to talk about in the coming weeks.