LeBrun reports that Toews spent the last several months working towards an NHL return. It is not unprecedented for a player to return from a multi-year absence, and Gabriel Landeskog did just that when he returned to the Colorado Avalanche during this season's Stanley Cup Playoffs after a three-year stint on the shelf due to knee surgery.

Jonathan Toews is taking the next steps toward a comeback in the NHL next season, according to his agent Pat Brisson. "Yes, 100 percent. Johnny is feeling great and we're moving forward," Brisson told NHL.com via text of the news, which was first reported by Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic on Thursday.