Devils Tyler Toffoli Named the NHL’s First Star of the Week

Have a week, Tyler Toffoli. The NHL named the New Jersey Devils forward the first star of the week. He’s joined by Tampa Bay Lightning’s Jonas Johansson and Minnesota Wild’s Ryan Hartman as one of three stars.

The Devils acquired Toffoli this summer from the Calgary Flames in exchange for Yegor Sharangovich and a 2023 third-round pick. From the get-go, Toffoli was excited to have the opportunity to play with an elite offense that features the likes of Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt.

The 31-year-old forward has been stapled to the hip of Hughes since the first time he pulled a Devils sweater over his head.

After going goalless in his first three games, Toffoli had a monster week scoring six goals and adding an assist. That includes a hat-trick, the fifth of his career and first with New Jersey, against the Montreal Canadiens on October 24th. Toffoli followed that performance up with a multi-goal effort in the following game against the Washington Capitals. He also chipped in an assist during the 6-4 loss. Toffoli registered four even-strength goals this week. Two more came on the man advantage.

Toffoli helped propel New Jersey to a 5-2-1 record, collecting 11 points in his monster week. According to the NHL’s PR, “(Toffoli’s) seven goals are the most by any player through their first eight games with the Devils/Rockies/Scouts franchise; four players – Paul Gardner (1976-77 w/ CLR), Lanny McDonald (1979-80 w/ CLR), Bobby Holik (1992-93) and Devante Smith-Pelly (2015-16) – previously shared the mark with six goals through their first eight contests with the team.”

Toffoli sits in a multiplayer tie for the third-most goals (seven) in the NHL this season. Alex DeBrincat leads the category with nine. It’s been an excellent start to the season for Toffoli. He’s been one of New Jersey’s most consistent forwards. According to Natural Stat Trick, Toffoli ranks fourth in CF% (61.36) and third in xGF% (58.31) among Devils skaters.

The pending unrestricted free agent explained upon acquisition he’d like to remain with the Devils past this season. More performances like this might force general manager Tom Fitzgerald to put pen to paper with Toffoli.

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