{"id":462967,"date":"2026-02-19T04:19:24","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T04:19:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/462967\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T04:19:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T04:19:24","slug":"time-to-pull-the-trigger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/462967\/","title":{"rendered":"Time to Pull the Trigger?"},"content":{"rendered":"

When the news came that Jonathan Toews<\/a> 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\u2019t blame anyone for getting excited. <\/p>\n

But after a few months, the fairy tale hasn\u2019t exactly hit the ice.<\/p>\n

Toews Had a Lot to Overcome Even to Play for the Jets<\/p>\n

Toews is 38 and coming off a couple of years sidelined with health issues. He\u2019s flashed a little life since Christmas, but mostly, he\u2019s struggled to find his footing. Seven goals, 12 assists, 19 points in 56 games, with a minus-17 rating. Those numbers aren\u2019t exactly headline material. More often than not, he\u2019s been invisible or even a liability<\/a> rather than the boost everyone hoped for.<\/p>\n

Related: A Bold Jets Plan Emerging Around Jonathan Toews\u2019 Future?<\/a><\/p>\n

Even if it feels like a tough call, maybe now\u2019s the right time. So, what do the Jets do? Keep him around or move him? Let\u2019s break it down. <\/p>\n

\"JonathanJonathan Toews of the Winnipeg Jets.<\/p>\n

Reasons to Keep Toews and Reasons to Let Him Go<\/p>\n

There are reasons the Jets might keep him. There\u2019s still that leadership angle. There\u2019s a reason he\u2019s a three-time Cup champ \u2014 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\u2019t see coming.<\/p>\n

There are also reasons why the Jets shouldn\u2019t keep him. First, money talks. Toews isn\u2019t cheap, and the bonus structure just makes it worse. He\u2019s making $2 million this season alone for 19 points. That\u2019s rough. The Jets aren\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

Would Another Team Want Toews for the Playoffs?<\/p>\n

Trading him would be admitting the experiment didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

At the end of the day, the Jets have to ask themselves if the feel-good story is worth the cost \u2014 in money, minutes, and production. Right now, all signs point toward a move being the smart play.<\/p>\n

Related: Olympics Could Erase Trade What-Ifs and Hellebuyck \u2018Choker\u2019 Tag<\/a><\/p>\n

\tDiscover more from NHL Trade Talk<\/p>\n

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.<\/p>\n

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