After spending the first eight seasons of his career in Los Angeles, Devils winger Tyler Toffoli could return to Southern California. The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta reports that the Kings have “expressed interest” in Toffoli if he’s made available by New Jersey GM Tom Fitzgerald in the days leading up to the deadline.
A pending UFA, Toffoli carries a cap hit of $4.25MM, and while extension discussions are ongoing, no deal has been reached. The Devils are still in a playoff chase, sitting five points behind the Lightning for the final playoff spot in the East with two games in hand.
That’s a perfectly bridgable gap, so even if the 31-year-old isn’t extended by March 8, they may keep him around if they feel the postseason is in reach or are confident in reaching an extension before the summer. Toffoli’s production isn’t replaceable internally – he holds the team lead in goals with 25 and has 42 points in 58 games, fourth on the team. While he’s technically listed as the Devils’ third-line left wing with Erik Haula and Dawson Mercer, he’s averaged 17:27 per game this year, fourth-most among Devils forwards.
It makes sense the Kings would have an interest in reuniting. He was a solid middle-six threat throughout most of his time in L.A., but he’s only entered his prime after a 2020 trade to the Canucks and subsequent stops in Montreal and Calgary. Last season’s career-high 34 goals with the Flames helped cement him as a true top-six and even first-line threat, posting above-average possession metrics. Add in his bargain cap hit, and he’s a logical fit to help the Kings shoulder apparent semi-long-term injuries to wingers Viktor Arvidsson and Adrian Kempe down the stretch.
Los Angeles would only be able to take Toffoli if the Devils retained half his salary, making him a $2.125MM player upon acquisition. That could change if evaluation this week reveals Kempe is expected to miss the rest of the regular season, allowing the Kings to move his $5.5MM cap hit to LTIR and add Toffoli’s entire salary for the stretch run.
Critics may point to Toffoli’s -11 rating this season, but advanced numbers assign much more blame to New Jersey’s poor goaltending than Toffoli’s defensive impacts. His 56.5 CF% at even strength is fifth on the team, he has a decent +4.9 expected rating, and his most common line with Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes has controlled a remarkable 60.3% of expected goals, per MoneyPuck.
When talks of an extension in New Jersey began after his trade from Calgary last summer, it was clear Toffoli would prioritize trade protection and term. That’s because he’s played for five teams over the previous five seasons despite his strong play at each stop. He has no trade protection in his current four-year, $17MM deal signed with Montreal in 2020, and although the Kings won’t be able to afford to extend him, L.A. at least presents a familiar destination for Toffoli to ride out the 2023-24 campaign before testing the free agent waters for potentially the last time.
The Kings are fading like a cheap suit in the rain in the worst division in the league, They need goaltending, Blueline depth and an experienced coach worse than they need a scorer.
They made the mistake of putting all their chips into DuBois rather than secure a goalie. Yeah Talbot was good for a few months, but everyone knew he was not the answer.
They didn’t take on any cap to sign PLD. Dollars out = Dollars in
They didn’t take on any cap to sign PLD. Dollars out = Dollars in
They gave up a good cheap prospect in Villardi. They are on the hook now for Dubois’ contract making it more difficult to obtain much needed talent.
Multiple $$$, players, picks and salary retention for PLD = POS!
Looks like the band is getting back together? As much as I’d like to see this happen I have to agree with
WilfPaiement. We need a lot more than a scorer. Also not keen on giving up a 1st round pick again. Contending teams can afford to do those things and we’re not contenders, yet.
It seems LA has had problems finishing for the last 30 years, no matter who they bring in. Kempe was the first to break 40 goals since luc in 1994….Is it the system? Bad luck? The players?
If Kempe is out the season is over, They are not Stanley Cup material and sending out more assets is stupid,
Don’t be like Arte Moreno and jeopordize the future for a useless playoff run
They won Stanley Cups 10 and 12 years ago. Isn’t that “finishing”?
Anderson, Grundstrom and Arviddson will be back soon. If the Kings are up by 4 points in the Wild card at the deadline, trade to improve! If they are the #9 team in the conference….Sell, Sell, Sell!
Toffoli will not move the needle at all.. We’d be better off re-acquiring Iafallo to help on lines 3-4 when we sit stiffs like Kaliyev/Lewis/Grundstrom/Lizzotte, etc..
#GoKings
PLD should have never been a priority, But as it turns out Blake was enamored by the latest expensive shiny toy that sat on the shelf, Now he’s paying for it. No pun Intended.
Only 11 comments. The interest in this team is questionable.
Yet, here you are! Ducks suck!
I would gladly take Toffoli back. Good scorer and good Corsi player, sounds kinds like Villardi! Trade PLD, Kayliev and a 2nd to NJ for Toffoli! The Kings will never win a Stanley Cup with PLD on the roster! I said it!