Guess what, Jets fans—it’s finally September, which means preseason hockey is right around the corner! The Jets hit the ice for six preseason games in just a couple of weeks, and one of the biggest questions is: how many games will Jonathan Toews play?

When Toews signed his one-year deal in Winnipeg, we knew he was committed to an NHL comeback. But both he and the Jets also know his health has to be the top priority. Toews has battled chronic immune response syndrome (CIRS) in recent years, a condition that sidelined him after the 2022-23 season. He first revealed the diagnosis in 2021 after experiencing lingering symptoms like fatigue and brain fog, which he linked to environmental factors and the long-term effects of COVID-19.

The good news? Toews is already skating. The Jets shared that several players are back in Winnipeg and training at hockey for all centre—familiar faces like Dylan DeMelo, Haydn Fleury, and Nikita Chibrikov, plus new additions Tanner Pearson, Isaac Poulter, and of course, hometown legend Jonathan Toews. Seeing him on the ice, running drills in Jets heritage gear, is a great sign.

But when it comes to preseason, how much should we expect to see him? Ideally, four games would give him the reps he needs, but it’s all about how his body responds in game situations. Unlike stars such as Connor Hellebuyck or Mark Scheifele—who might only need two games to get back into things—Toews hasn’t played in over two years, so the approach will be completely different.

Training camp and preseason will give us the first real answers. For now, it’s exciting just knowing Toews is out there, working toward his return.