It’s no secret the 2025 free agency class is weaker than in years past, especially at the centre position. And with Brock Nelson already resigning with the Colorado Avalanche on a three-year deal worth $7.5M AAV,  the Toronto Maple Leafs’ options for an upgrade at the centre position are slim. They already arguably have the best centre available in John Tavares, who is expected by all accounts to re-sign, but for a team in their championship window, just resigning an aging Tavares while having $25.7M in cap space to work with this summer won’t cut it for ownership or their fans.

We’ve all heard the Brad Treliving quote stating that the ‘DNA needs to change’ by now. How about starting that DNA change with three-time Stanley Cup winner Jonathan Toews? Ever since Toews’ agent, Pat Brisson, announced in May that his client is 100 percent committed to returning to the NHL next season, the links to the Maple Leafs have been non-stop, and for good reason. Toews last played in the NHL during the 2022-23 season where he recorded 15 goals and 31 points in 53 games, in what was an injury-riddled season.

Now two years removed from the 2023 campaign, Toews seems healthy again, which could result in him having a massive impact on an inexpensive deal. Daily Faceoff listed Toews as the eighth-best free agent available this summer, despite not playing in the NHL for two seasons, AFP Analytics projects Toews will come in at $2 million against the cap on the high end, and it may be entirely possible to land Toews at the league minimum of $775,000.

Assuming the Maple Leafs are able to re-sign Tavares, adding Toews down the middle would provide a more stable and natural fit at the centre position for their third line. During the playoffs, we saw stints of Max Domi and Scott Laughton playing in the middle on the third line. It seems that the Leafs will likely want to move Domi to the wing, where he’s been more effective, while slotting Laughton back into the middle.

Toews is a clutch player, as evidenced by his three Stanley Cups, and he won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2010. Over the course of his career, he’s constantly been a playoff performer with 45 goals, 119 points in 137 games — exactly what the Maple Leafs could always use more of.

And to those already arguing in the comments, concerned with the idea that he’s too old, or that he seemingly retired two years ago, or how it could be the same thing as the Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau experience, I’ll ask you to reconsider.  All the Maple Leafs would be doing in this signing is buying a cheap ticket to a play. They’re hoping to walk away floored by the performance, but if not, it was an inexpensive, no risk ticket to begin with.

For a team that is desperately trying to end the drought of not winning a cup for both them and the fans, an underrated and simple signing like this could be just the answer the Maple Leafs need. Obviously, Toews can’t be the only signing the Maple Leafs make if the goal is still for real change to happen, but it could be a part of a series of moves this offseason that create championship DNA.