Scheifele: Toews joining Jets was 'perfect storm'

Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele is thrilled about the team's offseason addition of veteran Jonathan Toews.

"I thought it kind of was the perfect storm almost," Scheifele said Saturday, per NHL.com's Derek Van Diest. "Coming back to Winnipeg, coming back from not playing for a couple of years, I thought it all made so much sense. I was obviously hoping that we were the front-runner and we're very excited to have him."

Toews joined the Jets this offseason on a one-year contract worth $2 million, plus an additional $5 million in potential performance bonuses. He's set to make his NHL return after missing two seasons while battling chronic inflammatory response syndrome and symptoms of long COVID.

It'll be a homecoming for the 37-year-old, who was born and raised in Winnipeg.

"Obviously he's a legend, not just in the NHL but Winnipeg especially," Scheifele said. "I had a number of conversations with him this summer. He's obviously really excited to get back playing hockey and to be with our group. I'm very excited to have a guy with his stature and his experience and all the above. I'm really excited to play with him."

It's unclear how effective Toews will be after two years away from the game, but he has an opportunity to play an impactful role. Captain Adam Lowry is expected to miss the start of the season while recovering from hip surgery, leaving Toews and Vladislav Namestnikov to compete for the No. 2 center job behind Scheifele. Toews said earlier this offseason that his "hands are still there; the feet will catch up."

Toews recorded 15 goals and 16 assists in 53 games during his last NHL action in 2022-23 with the Chicago Blackhawks. He won three Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe Trophy, and a Selke Trophy in 15 seasons with the Blackhawks.