Tyler Toffoli signed a four-year contract with the San Jose Sharks this summer, and despite the team’s struggles this season, the veteran forward’s trust in the front office hasn’t wavered.
After San Jose dealt Fabian Zetterlund, Luke Kunin, and Jake Walman at the trade deadline, there was an evident sadness within the locker room. Because of this, veterans like Toffoli will be leaned on more than at any point this season.
Toffoli told reporters that he intends to speak with GM Mike Grier about his future plan. Grier’s comments yesterday included that he hoped the 2025 trade deadline would be the last selling deadline.
“When I came here, I knew it was going to be an adjustment. At the same time, I was told that it’s going to start going the other way,” Toffoli said. “I read something yesterday that Mike said that it is the last year that something like that will happen.”
The 32-year-old is a Stanley Cup Champion with the Los Angeles Kings, but he still wants to win another and with San Jose. Toffoli is leading the Sharks in goals with 24, and while he’s still producing, the veteran winger knows time is running out in his career.
“[We have] a lot of picks, and for myself, I hope they’re used to get some players and make us better,” Toffoli explained. “In my opinion, second, third, fourth, fifth-round picks don’t turn pro [until] years later. Personally, time is running out in that sense. I’m hoping to be back in the mix here next year, if not the year after.”
While Toffoli’s comments can be seen as he doesn’t want to be part of a losing team, the sense he gave off was that he understands what needs to happen to get there. A conversation with Grier about the plan got him signed. He wants to stay involved in that conversation about the future.
“I’m definitely going [talk to Grier] at some point. It’s just a matter of when. We have a game tonight, so I’m not expecting to talk now. I feel like him and I have a really good relationship, and I’ve talked to him multiple times throughout the season,” Toffoli said. “I feel like our relationship is open. He’s willing to listen, and like I said, I signed here knowing what I was getting myself into. At the same time, we have a really good group of guys hungry to try and start winning.”
Toffoli has been the mentor for Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini all season. The two rookies have been on either side of Toffoli during road trips inside the locker room. At home, however, only Celebrini was next to Toffoli. After the San Jose Sharks traded Kunin to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Smith moved to Toffoli’s right.
Toffoli has always been around the Stanley Cup Playoffs in his career. When that hasn’t been the case, his team has traded him to a contender. Now in a rebuilding phase and having a no-movement clause on his contract, Tyler Toffoli is dedicated to helping the San Jose Sharks become a winning NHL franchise again.
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