Written By Neil Villapiano
In late June of this offseason, New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald saw an opportunity to strengthen the top six by acquiring Tyler Toffoli from the Calgary Flames for Yegor Sharangovich and a 2023 third-round pick. It was a move that caught the attention of the entire league. Toffoli is not only coming off potting 34 goals and over 70 points last season but brings Stanley Cup championship experience to a Devils team ready to compete. Toffoli will fit right in on the wing of either Jack Hughes or Nico Hischier. Not only will Toffoli do well in New Jersey but he has become a major X-factor to this New Jersey team.
Toffoli is the Finisher the Devils Have Been Needing
You might be asking yourself why someone who has yet to play a single game for the red and black could already be the team's X-factor. The reason is that Toffoli brings something that the Devils have been needing for some time now on offense. Toffoli is what I consider to be a finisher. He is someone who has a nose for the goal and will shoot from basically anywhere at a consistent rate. Toffoli had 268 shots last season. Compare those to what the Devils players had and he finished with the third most of any player and second most of any forward.
The clips above are just some examples of how much Toffoli loves to shoot the puck from anywhere at any time. For as talented as the top six is, there were plenty of times last year when guys were too passive and were constantly looking to each other to finish plays. With Toffoli, you are adding a player who will look more to shoot than pass and that's going to be key, especially on a powerplay that is looking to become one of the deadliest in the NHL. 10 of Toffoli's 34 goals last year came on the powerplay. He also earned 25 of his 73 points on the man advantage. He brings that confidence that the Devils need more of when they get those powerplay opportunities.
He's a Playoff Performer
It's been mentioned before but Toffoli brings a ton of championship experience to the Garden State club. This was another factor in Fitzgerald swinging a trade for the 31-year-old. Toffoli was a part of the 2013-14 Los Angeles Kings team that won the Stanley Cup. In that postseason, he had 7 goals and 14 points in 26 games played. He was asked to step up in Los Angeles and he did just that. The Scarborough, Ontario, Canada native also was a big part of the 2021 Montreal Canadiens team that went all the way to the Stanley Cup Final before being ousted by the Tampa Bay Lightning. He put in five goals and 14 points during that run.
In 88 career playoff games, Toffoli has tallied 18 goals and 26 assists for a total of 44 points. His totals already make him one of the most experienced performers on still one of the youngest rosters in the NHL. Number 73 will be a player that many of the younger guys will look to for guidance both on the ice and in the locker room.
Toffoli's move to New Jersey is an exciting one and the possibilities with what he can provide for this team are many. There will be other players on the roster that will be major contributors. However, in my opinion, Toffoli will not just be a major contributor but will be the team's go-to X-factor on a team ready to compete to bring Lord Stanley's Cup back to New Jersey.
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