The New Jersey Devils were supposed to be a top team in the Metropolitan Division this season but have failed to meet every expectation for a variety of reasons. Now, they are both buyers and sellers at the trade deadline but mostly sellers because of their spot in the standings.
On Thursday night, Tyler Toffoli was scratched ahead of their game against the St. Louis Blues for “trade-related reasons”. They were transparent about the situation which is the way teams have been over the last two years.
New Jersey won the game without their leading scorer as it seemed to give them a boost. Toffoli is an unrestricted free agent after the season is over so that is why his name came up as a possible one to be moved.
On Friday morning, with just a few hours before the deadline, the New Jersey Devils traded Tyler Toffoli to the Winnipeg Jets. They retained 50% of his cap hit and got a 2025 second-round pick with a 2024 third-round pick in return.
#NEWS: We have acquired a 2025 2nd-Round Draft Pick and a 2024 3rd-Round Draft Pick from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Tyler Toffoli.
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) March 8, 2024
📰: https://t.co/4r64bZIkxq pic.twitter.com/AZNkbxraB0
Let us cook 👨🍳 pic.twitter.com/p2dqzSG2Ri
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) March 8, 2024
The New Jersey Devils traded Tyler Toffoli to the Winnipeg Jets
Considering how the forward market had been before Thursday, this feels like an underwhelming return for the Devils. However, Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins might have negatively reset the market because of their lackluster return for Jake Guentzel.
It will be interesting to see if New Jersey is done or not. They don’t have any other big names that could go but teams may consider one of their depth defensemen ahead of a Cup run. It is something to think about.
As for Winnipeg, they are getting Tyler Toffoli who is a very good NHL goal scorer. So far this season, he has 26 goals and 18 assists for 44 points in 61 games. He fit right into the Devils’ group without much adjustment needed.
He should be able to do the same with all of the skilled players that they have there. Winnipeg’s top six is now as strong as it’s been in a long time with the addition of Toffoli.
They are right in the mix for the Central Division title with 20ish games left. They are there with the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars. They could finish in any order but those are going to be the top three. Toffoli is now with a legit contender and should be excited about the opportunity.