Tyler Toffoli: A Journey Through the NHL to the Sharks

Tyler Toffoli’s journey through the NHL has been anything but ordinary, and as he dons the number 73 for the San Jose Sharks, his story continues to unfold. Toffoli is only the second player to wear this number in Sharks history, following Noah Gregor, who first broke the mold five years ago.

The 34-year-old winger’s professional career kicked off in 2010 when he was drafted 47th overall by the Los Angeles Kings, a team that stands as the Sharks’ arch-rival. Toffoli made his NHL debut during the 2012-13 season, playing in 10 games for the Kings. His breakout performance came in the AHL, where he was named Rookie of the Year after an impressive season with the Manchester Monarchs, tallying 28 goals and 51 points in 58 games.

In the 2013-14 season, Toffoli stepped into a more prominent role, participating in 62 regular-season games and 26 playoff matches. His efforts culminated in lifting the Stanley Cup, marking a pinnacle moment in his career.

After spending nearly six seasons with the Kings, Toffoli was traded to the Vancouver Canucks mid-way through the 2019-20 season. Following a brief stint in Vancouver, he joined the Montreal Canadiens for the 2020-21 season, where he played for about a season and a half before being traded again, this time to the Calgary Flames.

Toffoli’s journey continued as he was dealt to the New Jersey Devils after a season and a half in Calgary. His time in New Jersey was short-lived, lasting just over half a season before he found himself with the Winnipeg Jets to conclude the 2023-24 campaign.

Finally, Toffoli opted to sign with the Sharks as an unrestricted free agent, ensuring stability in his career with a no-trade clause for the first three years of his contract and a modified clause in the final year. In his tenure with the Sharks, Toffoli has played 157 games, scoring 49 goals and 103 points, while also taking on a mentorship role for younger forwards like Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. Despite a crowded forward lineup, Toffoli’s trade protection secures his position as one of the few veterans likely to remain in San Jose.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.