Tyler Toffoli decided to take a risk with his future in hockey and is pleased with the new direction he's heading in.
The experienced forward and fellow New Jersey Devils defenseman Colin Miller were traded to the Winnipeg Jets in two separate deals for draft picks on Friday.
Toffoli expressed his anticipation to join the Jets, who were second in the Central Division and sixth in the overall NHL standings before Friday’s NHL action.
“I didn’t have a no-move clause, so it’s one of those things where whatever kind of happened, happened,” Toffoli said on a conference call after the trade.
The Toronto native said he expected to be on the move and was glad to be back playing for a Canadian club.
“With (Thursday) and being held out, myself and my wife, Cat, we understood something was most likely going to happen. It was only a matter of time,” Toffoli said. “We’re looking forward to it. We’re going to another Canadian city. There’s nothing better than playing in a Canadian market. It’s a strange feeling, but at the same time, we’re excited. Winnipeg, the fans are very passionate. I’m excited to go there and keep pushing for the playoffs and try and make a run there.”
Toffoli and Miller will join the Jets in Winnipeg after the team (39-17-5) returns from a two-game road trip. They face the Seattle Kraken on Friday and travel to Vancouver to play the Canucks Saturday.
“Chevy has done an outstanding job at building this team and giving us depth and giving us different options to use,” Bowness told reporters in Seattle after Friday’s morning skate. “He’s done an outstanding job and we’re really happy where we are.”
New Jersey received a third-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and a second-round pick in 2025 for Toffoli and retain 50 per cent of his salary. He can become an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Toffoli, 31, was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 2010 (47th overall). He also played for the Vancouver Canucks, Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames. He’s amassed 794 career games and 88 playoff games.
He had 26 goals and 18 assists in 61 games for the Devils this season, including 10 goals and five assists in his past 18 games.
Miller, 31, was traded for Winnipeg’s fourth-round pick in the 2026 draft. He had four goals and four assists with the Devils in 41 games this season.
The blueliner from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., was drafted in 2012 (151st overall) by the Kings and has 507 regular season and 40 playoff games on his resume. He’s also suited up for the Boston Bruins, Vegas Golden Knights, Buffalo Sabres and Dallas Stars.
Reinforcements were needed as the Jets battle in a tight Western Conference against teams that also bolstered their rosters through trades.
“Wild. Wild. Wild west,” Cheveldayoff said to reporters Friday when asked how to describe the conference.
Cheveldayoff already acquired forward Sean Monahan from the Montreal Canadiens on Feb. 2 for a 2024 first-round draft pick and a conditional third-rounder in the 2027 draft.
Monahan, who can become an unrestricted free agent after the season, has eight goals and one assist in 13 games since joining the Jets. Overall, he’s put up 21 goals and 44 points in 62 games.
Mark Scheifele, the top centre for the Jets, said that acquiring Monahan was a message to the team, and getting Toffoli sent an even bigger one.
He thinks that the team showing faith by making these acquisitions is a good sign, and he's really excited about the team's potential and ready to welcome Toffoli aboard.
Cheveldayoff was asked if he has had this kind of 'tool box' during his 13-year tenure with the Jets.
He replied that it will take every tool in that box to accomplish their goals, as teams that go deep into the playoffs need all the help they can get.
Cheveldayoff highlighted Toffoli and Miller’s playoff experiences as key reasons for the trades.
Toffoli won the Stanley Cup in his rookie 2013-14 season with the Kings, while Miller reached the final with Vegas in 2018.
Toffoli feels that the Jets are a really good team playing well, and that all the pieces are in place. He wants to fit in quickly and get to work.
