Report: Devils Current Intention is to Extend Tyler Toffoli

According to a report, the New Jersey Devils intend to extend pending unrestricted free agent forward Tyler Toffoli despite their position in the standings. 

On the latest Insider Trading, TSN analyst Darren Dreger explained that although Toffoli is garnering interest with the NHL Trade Deadline just 10 days away, the Devils prefer to keep Toffoli in their future plans. 

“They could (trade Toffoli), but that’s not their intent,” Dreger explained. “They prefer to extend Tyler Toffoli and they’ve already engaged, at least to some degree, in extension talks with his agent, Pat Brisson. And why wouldn’t you? This guy has 25 goals, and you can see him as part of their future, the predicament is they’re a non-playoff team right now. I believe that the New Jersey Devils are going to take the next three games out west to deeply analyze their team and as you get closer to the trade deadline, if they feel that they’re not playoff-worthy, then perhaps they explore some of the interest that they’re getting in Toffoli as a pending free agent.”

Elliotte Friedman reaffirmed that notion on the latest episode of 32 Thoughts podcast.

“Toffoli is more of a wish than a likelihood this weekend for other teams,” Friedman explained to Jeff Marek.

Friedman went on to explain that teams would have to meet a high asking price for the Devils to consider moving their leading goal scorer.

This should come as no surprise. Earlier in 2024, general manager, Tom Fitzgerald, met with the New Jersey media and explained that he “likes Toffoli” and intends to keep him as part of the future plans. 

“With Tyler, I’ve had multiple conversations with his agent,” Fitzgerald continued. “I think we’re probably going to sit down here at some point before the (All-Star) break or after the break, (potentially) in the break just to see where he’s at. What’s he thinking, where he’s at? And then, we’ll talk about, if there’s a marriage here moving forward. I like Tyler Toffoli. I think he’s been a really good add for our team because of his professionalism and his winning pedigree, but it is a business.”

Toffoli (31) is the Devils’ leading goalscorer this season letting 25 goals and 42 points in 57 games. Toffoli has certainly built chemistry with center Jack Hughes as an excellent complementary scoring winger. 

The Devils forward scored a career-high 34 goals last season and is on pace to match, even pass his previous career as he’s on track to net over an 82-game span. 

There is little doubt that if the Devils ultimately decide to sell, they would be a line of teams waiting to speak with Fitzgerald about acquiring the sniper. 

Toffoli’s in the final year of his contract that holds a $4.25 million cap hit.

For more Devils news, visit New Jersey Hockey Now and like our Facebook page.

Follow us on 𝕏:

@NJDHockeyNow, @JamesNicholsNHL

And on Threads:

@JamesNicholsNHL