Oilers Could Solve Big Problem With Free Agent

caleb kerney

Tue, Dec 31, 2024, 10:42 a.m.·3 min read

EDMONTON -- It's all about who you know.

The Edmonton Oilers aren't afraid to acquire players with connections within the organization. Connor Brown had known Connor McDavid for years before he signed on the dotted line as a free agent. Ty Emberson played for an AHL team that head coach Kris Knoblauch used to coach for a few years ago.

Stan Bowman isn't afraid to reacquire players that he is familiar with. He plucked Alec Regula off of waivers and traded for Paul Fischer. Both players he knew (or traded for) while managing the Chicago Blackhawks.

One player who isn't on anyone's radar is considering a comeback. And the Oilers might be the perfect place for him.

Jonathan Toews should be a player that the Oilers consider signing to their team. Here are three reasons the Oilers should take a swing on the veteran.

Toews Ready For Another Kick At The Can

Toews has popped into the hockey conversation after a recent interview with GQ. In the exclusive piece, Toews details how his discovery of the Ayurvedic Panchakarma detox has helped him feel better. He has suffered from long-COVID, but experiencing this detox has been the best way he has dealt with it.

Jonathan Toews told GQ magazine that he’s going to give it his best shot and see what happens regarding an NHL comeback once he returns to the ice 👀

(via @GQMagazine) pic.twitter.com/yjadJDupzL
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 30, 2024

As far as a return to the NHL, this is what Toews said.

"There's a part of me that really wants to give it my all," Toews revealed. "To get back on the ice and see where it takes me."

"There's a part of me that really doesn't feel like my career is over yet, and who knows what the next part of my journey looks like."

Bowman Is Very Familiar

Bowman didn't draft Toews but was the Director of Hockey Operations when the Blackhawks selected him third overall in the 2006 NHL entry draft. He was assistant general manager when Toews took up the mantle of team captain.

To say that he is familiar with the player is an understatement.

While familiarity can be a bad thing and create a bias, in this case, it's a good thing. Bowman knows the kind of person that Toews is and how the former captain can help the Oilers off the ice.

Toews Can Fulfill Bottom-Six Role

That said, Toews hasn't played NHL hockey since his 53-game stint during the 2022-23 season. In those games, he recorded 31 points and played 17:43 per game.

While he is not the player he once was, he can still contribute to a championship-caliber team. Being a third or fourth-line center would be ideal for a player like him.

Toews could eventually replace a player like Derek Ryan as a fourth-line center. If he played well enough, he could move to the third line, keeping Derek Ryan as the fourth-line pivot and freeing up Adam Henrique to play wing elsewhere.

Toews could join the team, mentor the younger players, and stabilize the bottom-six. Of course, he would need to undergo a conditioning stint before he's up to speed. But having his two-way ability down the middle would make the Oilers an even more dangerous team come playoff time.

With Toews already familiar with Bowman, and the Oilers' need to add pieces up front, the 36-year-old could be a shrewd addition.

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