Ex-Devil Tyler Toffoli Meets With Winnipeg Media, Talks About Trade

Tyler Toffoli met with Winnipeg media for the first time since traded from the New Jersey Devils n March 8.

Tyler Toffoli is a professional. 

He has been in the league for 12 seasons and, entering the 2023-24 season, has been traded three times in his career.

He and his wife knew what to expect when the 31-year-old was held out of the New Jersey Devils lineup on March 7 for trade-related reasons.

"I think with being held out, myself and my wife Cat, we understood that something was most likely going to happen, and it was only a matter of time," Toffoli said to Winnipeg media on Friday.

"It is a weird feeling, but at the same time, we are excited," he continued. "In Winnipeg, the fans are very passionate, and I am excited to go there and keep pushing for the playoffs and try and make a run here."

The winger was asked about the trade from New Jersey and if he had any say in his destination.

"No, I did not have a no-move clause," he explained. "It was one of those things where whatever happened kind of happened."

Winnipeg media then asked the former Devils forward if he wanted to be moved to a contender.

"Yeah, I mean, it's one of those things where you want to win every year. The way things kind of have been going this year in New Jersey, it was definitely a battle," Toffoli said. "Obviously, there's plenty of season left for them, so who knows what is going to happen. I'm looking forward to what is ahead of me. It is one of those things where you have to move forward."

"(I'm) coming to a team that's winning a lot of games, playing really well, and has a lot of really good players and really good pieces. We will see what kind of happens here."

Besides Colin Miller, who he has played with all season in New Jersey, Toffoli is familiar with many of his new teammates in Winnipeg.

The Devils received a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and a third-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft for Toffoli. Additionally, New Jersey is retaining 50 percent of the winger's salary.

At the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, Toffoli will be an unrestricted free agent. 

Despite Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald and Toffoli currently being far apart on term for another contract, he is a player that New Jersey would be interested in this summer.

"Tyler is a great kid. I would do that trade seven days, twice on Sunday over again," Fitzgerald said regarding trading for Toffoli last summer. "He's our leading scorer. Great in the locker room. He's everything I thought he would be. A player that I have interest in the off-season if he's interested in New Jersey."

For now, Toffoli will focus on bringing a Stanley Cup to Winnipeg and, for the first time in his career, experience the "Winnipeg Whiteout" when the playoffs begin in late April. He and Miller are expected to make their Jets debut on Monday against the Washington Capitals. 

They will return to Prudential Center on March 21 when the Devils host the Jets.