- Jonathan Toews is returning to the NHL with his hometown Winnipeg Jets on a one-year deal
- Despite landing the three-time Stanley Cup champion, Winnipeg’s title odds remain stuck at +2500
- Read below for analysis on whether the Jets are being undervalued in the championship futures market
The kid from St. Vital is coming home. Jonathan Toews agreed to terms with his hometown Winnipeg Jets on Friday, marking the three-time Stanley Cup champion’s return to the NHL after more than two years away from the game.
But if you’re expecting this homecoming to shake up the Stanley Cup odds, think again. The Jets are still sitting at +2500 to win it all at DraftKings Sportsbook – exactly where they were before the signing.
Let’s break down what Toews brings to Winnipeg and whether those unchanged odds might actually be hiding some value.
Winnipeg Jets 2026 Stanley Cup Odds
| Team | Stanley Cup Odds |
|---|---|
| Florida Panthers | +600 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +700 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +900 |
| Dallas Stars | +950 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +950 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +1200 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +1400 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +2000 |
| New Jersey Devils | +2000 |
| Los Angeles Kings | +2000 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +2500 |
Odds as of June 20th at DraftKings Sportsbook. Check out the top NHL betting apps for making an early futures wager.
The Jets sit 11th in the championship pecking order, way behind Western Conference rivals like the Oilers (+700), Stars (+950), and Avalanche (+950). Even with a proven winner like Toews joining the mix, oddsmakers aren’t buying this as a needle-moving signing.
Breaking Down the Toews Contract
Toews’ contract is a one-year deal loaded with performance bonuses, which is perfect for a guy who hasn’t played since April 2023. Here’s how it breaks down:
• Base salary: $2 million
• Games played bonus: $550,000 for every 20 regular-season games
• Playoff qualification: $500,000 if the Jets make the postseason and Toews plays 50+ games
• Playoff round wins: $250,000 for each round Winnipeg advances (if he plays 50% of games)
• Stanley Cup bonus: $1 million if the Jets win it all
It’s a low-risk, high-reward contract for both sides. The 37-year-old gets a chance to prove he still belongs, while the Jets add championship DNA without going broke.
Can Toews Move the Needle for Winnipeg?
The Jets just won the Presidents’ Trophy with a 56-22-4 record, but their second-round exit against Dallas showed some ugly holes. The biggest one? They can’t score past their top line.
Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, and Gabriel Vilardi were the NHL’s highest-scoring trio last season, but after that? Crickets. The Jets desperately need someone who can center the second line, and that’s where Toews could fit.
Number 19, Jonathan Toews
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) June 20, 2025pic.twitter.com/rGVIkz2cPi
The former Hawks captain brings 883 career points and a Conn Smythe Trophy to a team that’s great at winning games in January but struggles when the lights get bright. His two-way game and faceoff skills might be exactly what this group needs.
There is a catch, though, as Toews hasn’t played competitive hockey in over two years. His last seasons in Chicago were rough, dealing with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome and long COVID. He says there’s “something left in the tank,” but nobody really knows how much.
Why Haven’t the Odds Moved?
The fact that oddsmakers kept Winnipeg’s Stanley Cup price exactly the same tells you everything. Even with a three-time champ joining up, several red flags are keeping the Jets from climbing the board:
The Rust Factor: Three years away is forever in pro sports. Expecting Toews to jump right back into top-six minutes at 37? That’s asking a lot.
Hellebuyck’s Playoff Issues: Connor Hellebuyck won the Vezina Trophy and was lights-out during the regular season (47 wins, 2.00 GAA). But the Jets have been hit with “Connor Hellebuyck Syndrome” – they dominate from October to April, then fade when it matters.
The Ehlers Situation: Star winger Nikolaj Ehlers is still unsigned as a UFA. If he bolts, the Jets lose a 63-point guy who finally figured out the power play last season. Toews can’t make up for that kind of production loss.
Western Conference Bloodbath: The path through the West is brutal. Edmonton just made back-to-back Finals, Colorado has elite talent everywhere, and Dallas knocked out Winnipeg last spring. The Jets would probably need to beat at least two of these teams to reach the Finals.
Best Winnipeg Jets Stanley Cup Bet?
At 25-to-1, there’s definitely some appeal in backing a Presidents’ Trophy winner that just added championship experience. The Jets have the world’s best goalie when he’s locked in, a ridiculous top line, and now some veteran leadership.
But the smart play might be waiting to see how the rest of their summer shakes out. If Ehlers re-signs and they grab another legit top-six guy, those odds will likely shorten but still offer value. And if Ehlers walks and Toews looks rusty at camp, the odds should be even longer.
The Western Conference is wide open past the top favorites, and Winnipeg has just as good a shot as teams like Toronto (+2000) or LA (+2000) that are ahead of them on the board. But oddsmakers clearly agree that Toews alone isn’t moving the needle much.
Right now, the Jets remain a team that wins a ton of regular-season games but needs to prove they can get it done in the playoffs. Adding Toews makes for a nice story, but until Winnipeg shows it can beat its playoff demons, +2500 feels about right.
The post Winnipeg Jets Stanley Cup Odds After Signing Jonathan Toews – Is WPG Undervalued? appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.
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