Tyler Toffoli
This one is the one everyone expects. Tom Fitzgerald literally said he wants to target Tyler Toffoli this offseason. The Winnipeg Jets did not get what they wanted out of Toffoli. He did have 11 points and seven goals in 18 regular season games after the Trade Deadline deal. He also added two goals in five playoff games.
That last stat is the issue. The Winnipeg Jets only had five playoff games this postseason. There is a lot of change already happening with the Jets, as Rick Bowness retired and Scott Arniel took over as head coach.
With that change, usually comes roster change. As far as forwards go, there isn’t a ton of opportunities for change. Toffoli is one of four free agents, two of which are restricted free agents. Meanwhile, with their $13 million in cap space, the Jets have to replace defensemen Dylan DeMelo, Brendan Dillon, and Colin Miller (plus Logan Stanley, who’s a restricted free agent).
There’s just too much for the Jets to address to give Toffoli a big deal. The same probably goes for the Devils, but they’ve made it a point to say they are going to try, so we are going to believe them. Despite his lack of speed, Toffoli fit with Jack Hughes. If it fits, then why not try again?