Jonathan Toews Health Condition, NHL Comeback, and Contract

Few athletes have faced a health challenge as murky and persistent as the one that sidelined Jonathan Toews. For nearly five years, the three-time Stanley Cup champion searched for answers as an immune disorder kept him away from the game.

Age: 36 years · Height: 6’2″ (188 cm) · Weight: 201 lbs (91 kg) · Stanley Cups: 3 (2010, 2013, 2015) · Draft: 3rd overall, 2006 · Career Points: 883

The pattern: Toews’ career arc from captain to comeback hinges on a medical condition with no standard cure.

What health condition does Jonathan Toews have?

Symptoms and diagnosis

• Toews was diagnosed with Chronic Immune Response Syndrome (CIRS), a condition triggered by exposure to biotoxins such as mold (Air Oasis).
• He also dealt with long COVID symptoms that forced him out of the lineup from February to April 2023 (NHL.com).
• ABC 7 Chicago reported that CIRS is typically diagnosed after ruling out other conditions and is linked to immune overreaction (ABC 7 Chicago YouTube).

Treatment and recovery timeline

• In 2024, Toews spent five weeks in India undergoing an Ayurvedic detox called Panchakarma (NHL.com).
• He wrote on Instagram that it had been “almost five years” of searching for ways to heal his immune system (Sportsnet).
• Toews described Ayurveda as helping him make better diet choices specific to his body type (NHL.com).

The implication: Toews is taking an unconventional, intensive approach to a condition that has no standard cure. His willingness to travel abroad underscores both the severity of the illness and his determination to play again.

Are Kane and Toews still friends?

History of Kane and Toews friendship

• Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews were teammates on the Chicago Blackhawks for 14 seasons, winning three Stanley Cups together (2010, 2013, 2015).
• They developed a close bond on and off the ice, often seen in interviews and promotional events as the faces of the franchise.

Current status after Kane’s trade to Detroit

• After Kane was traded to the New York Rangers in 2023 and later signed with the Detroit Red Wings, the two have remained in contact.
• In 2024, Kane told Sportsnet he is excited about Toews’ potential return to the NHL, saying “I hope he gets back, it would be great for the game” (Sportsnet).

“I hope he gets back, it would be great for the game.”

— Patrick Kane, on Jonathan Toews’ comeback attempt (Sportsnet)

The pattern: Their friendship survives the breakup of the Blackhawks’ dynasty. Despite playing for different teams now, the mutual respect remains intact — a rare continuity in the often-transient NHL.

Are Jonathan and Devon Toews related?

Common misconception about same last name

• Jonathan Toews and Devon Toews are not related. They share the surname Toews but come from different regions of Canada (Wikipedia – Jonathan Toews).
• Jonathan is from Winnipeg, Manitoba; Devon is from Abbotsford, British Columbia.

Biographical details of both players

• Jonathan Toews played center for the Chicago Blackhawks; Devon Toews is a defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche.
• Both have won Stanley Cups: Jonathan three times with Chicago, Devon twice with Colorado (2022, 2024?).

The catch: The identical last name in a sport where family ties are common (the Staals, the Tkachuks) naturally raises the question. But the two Toews players are simply unrelated coincidences of hockey genealogy.

Is Jonathan Toews married?

Relationship status

• Toews is not publicly known to be married. He has kept his personal life extremely private throughout his career.
• No confirmed spouse, fiancée, or children have ever been reported in reliable media.

Privacy around personal life

• Toews rarely discusses relationships in interviews, focusing instead on hockey and health.
• His Instagram account occasionally shows family (parents, sister) but never a romantic partner.

What this means: For fans curious about Toews off the ice, the answer is clear: he values his privacy. Any claims about a marriage or long-term partner are speculation unless confirmed by him or a credible source.

What is Jonathan Toews’ current contract?

Contract history with Blackhawks

• Toews signed an eight-year, $84 million contract extension with Chicago on July 9, 2014, which expired after the 2022–23 season (NHL.com).
• He earned a $10.5 million cap hit per season during that deal.

Move to Winnipeg? Not yet

• Despite earlier speculation that Toews might sign with the Winnipeg Jets, the provided sources do not confirm any 2024 contract (NHL.com).
• As of this writing, Toews remains an unrestricted free agent, free to negotiate with any team.

The trade-off: Toews wants to return, but his health history makes him a risk for any front office. A short-term, low-base-salary deal with performance incentives seems the likeliest path.

Timeline

• April 29, 1988 – Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
• 2006 – Drafted 3rd overall by Chicago Blackhawks (Wikipedia).
• 2007–08 – NHL debut with Blackhawks.
• 2010 – Won first Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy.
• 2013 – Won second Stanley Cup.
• 2015 – Won third Stanley Cup.
• 2022–23 – Missed entire season due to CIRS and long COVID (NHL.com).
• 2024 – Spent five weeks in India for Ayurvedic treatment; remains a free agent.

Clarity check

What they’re saying

“It’s been almost five years of searching for a way to heal the inflammatory and immune system issues that took me out of hockey.”

— Jonathan Toews, via Instagram (reported by NHL.com)

“I hope he gets back, it would be great for the game.”

— Patrick Kane (Sportsnet)

“Ayurveda taught me that everything I experience I am responsible for.”

— Jonathan Toews (NHL.com)

Toews’ determination to return after a multi-year health ordeal is rare even by NHL standards. For a player who already has three rings, an Olympic gold medal, and a Conn Smythe Trophy, the motivation goes beyond legacy: it’s about reclaiming identity.

For the NHL’s 32 general managers, the choice is clear: offer Toews a one-year, league-minimum contract with bonuses tied to games played, or watch a rival take a low-risk flier on a future Hall of Famer. The next move is theirs.

Frequently asked questions