Winnipeg Jets

Winnipeg Jets vs. Jonathan Toews: Time to Pull the Trigger?

Jonathan Toews’ hometown Jets experiment hasn’t worked out. Should Winnipeg keep him around or cut their losses?

by
Old Prof
February 18, 2026

When the news came that Jonathan Toews was signing with the Winnipeg Jets, it felt like a storybook moment. Hometown hero coming home, three-time Cup winner finally wearing Jets blue. Winnipeg fans were ready to cheer, and management got all the good vibes. You couldn’t blame anyone for getting excited.

But after a few months, the fairy tale hasn’t exactly hit the ice.

Toews Had a Lot to Overcome Even to Play for the Jets

Toews is 38 and coming off a couple of years sidelined with health issues. He’s flashed a little life since Christmas, but mostly, he’s struggled to find his footing. Seven goals, 12 assists, 19 points in 56 games, with a minus-17 rating. Those numbers aren’t exactly headline material. More often than not, he’s been invisible or even a liability rather than the boost everyone hoped for.

Even if it feels like a tough call, maybe now’s the right time. So, what do the Jets do? Keep him around or move him? Let’s break it down.

Jonathan Toews Winnipeg Jets — Jonathan Toews of the Winnipeg Jets.

Reasons to Keep Toews and Reasons to Let Him Go

There are reasons the Jets might keep him. There’s still that leadership angle. There’s a reason he’s a three-time Cup champ — Toews knows how to get it done. The younger players see that, and it sticks with them. He can still grind through rough games, and if he hits a mini-hot streak late in the season, it might give Winnipeg a little push they didn’t see coming.

There are also reasons why the Jets shouldn’t keep him. First, money talks. Toews isn’t cheap, and the bonus structure just makes it worse. He’s making $2 million this season alone for 19 points. That’s rough. The Jets aren’t exactly Cup favourites right now, so holding onto him may be more sentimental than practical. Plus, keeping him in the lineup eats up minutes that could go to younger players who actually might help shape the future.

Would Another Team Want Toews for the Playoffs?

Trading him would be admitting the experiment didn’t work. But if another team wants a seasoned, physical presence, it could actually help everyone. It would free Winnipeg to give younger players more ice time and cap space. And for Toews? He might get a real shot at one last Cup somewhere else instead of grinding out a late career in a losing situation.

At the end of the day, the Jets have to ask themselves if the feel-good story is worth the cost — in money, minutes, and production. Right now, all signs point toward a move being the smart play.