The past month and a half has been quite busy for Toews and his family. His 2019-20 season with the Islanders ended with a Game 6 loss to the eventual-Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning on Sept. 17, and he returned home from the bubble to help his then fiancée finalize plans for their wedding for Oct. 10. Two days after they became husband and wife, the Avs acquired Toews.
The changes to a new team adds some uncertainty, but there is also a level of anticipation with starting a new chapter in Colorado.
"The run we had on Long Island here was incredible, it was something I am so happy I was a part of… The whirlwind after to turn around and get married in two weeks after that was just kind of a wild time, but my wife did so well setting everything up, her parents were great in helping her with everything as well," he said. "Then, two days after that was the crazy news of being traded and trying to have to deal with the emotional side of things.
"I think a lot of people look at it as a hockey trade right away and how exciting it is to go to a great team in Colorado, but there is definitely an emotional side of it with all the relationships and friends and stuff that we've made [in New York]. We are so grateful for everything the Islanders have done for us, and we are also so grateful for everything we are going to have in Colorado and them putting their faith in me and trading for me and giving me a chance there."
Since making his NHL debut on Dec. 23, 2018, Toews has appeared in all 146 total games (116 regular season and 30 Stanley Cup Playoffs contests) for the Islanders. The 26-year-old has recorded 46 points (11 goals, 35 assists) in 116 regular-season outings and 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) in 30 postseason games.
Toews skated in all 22 playoff games for the Islanders this past campaign, his first full year competing in the NHL, and he tied for first among team defenseman in postseason scoring with 10 points (two goals, eight assists).
His addition helps solidify the Avalanche's blue line while allowing the team the flexibility to be patient with its prospects. Toews joins Ian Cole, Samuel Girard, Ryan Graves, Erik Johnson and Calder Trophy-winner Cale Makar in filling out the team's projected starting six spots on defense. Sakic has said that the team wants the younger rear guards in its system such as Conor Timmins and Bowen Byram to come in at their own pace, and Toews' acquisition will help those players ease into the best league in the world.
Toews hasn't played with any of his new teammates before, but he did play against Graves frequently in the American Hockey League when Graves was with the Hartford Wolf Pack, the New York Rangers' minor-league affiliate.
"A guy like Graves is someone similar to me, he was in Hartford when I was in Bridgeport and we played against him 14 times every single year," Toews said. "So, we saw a lot of each other, and you can see just how he took and ran with the opportunity he was given [in Colorado] and developed into a great player and a great part of this Avs team. Excited to get alongside him and learn from him as much as hopefully he can learn from me."
With his new deal now signed, Toews is expected to be playing a key role in the Avalanche's defensive core for years to come.
"I am just going to try to do whatever I can to compliment [my teammates]. I am not a guy that is going to go out there and try to do anything flashy, I just want to try and compliment the players that they already have and try to put them in the best situations with the puck, without the puck, talk through things, whatever it might be," says Toews. "I try to pride myself on being a very calm and collected player. You know things go wrong and thing go array on the ice and some players like to get frustrated and stuff, but I'd rather just talk it out and try to be a good support system for whatever guys are thinking and try to take into account the way they think the game and play the game as well."
