The date was October 12th, 2020, and Tyler Toffoli, one of the premier goal scorers in the league had still not signed with a team. A Stanley Cup winner back in 2014, Toffoli was a five-time 20-goal scorer and a proven performer in the playoffs. His former team the Vancouver Canucks elected to not re-sign him after a productive playoff run in the bubble.
The Canadiens had just under $4.5 million to spend and they chose wisely to give it to Toffoli on a four-year $17 million dollar deal, with an AAV of $4.25 million.
In his first year with the Montreal Canadiens, Toffoli led the team in goals (28) and points (44). He became an instant fan favourite and seemed to always have the puck on his stick. Toffoli even came out and said how he was meant to be with the Canadiens.
Toffoli now leads the Canadiens in the postseason with four goals and ten points, including two game-winning goals that took place in the last series against the Winnipeg Jets. He scored the lone goal in Game 2, short-handed, and then capped off the series with an overtime series-clinching goal in Game 4.
What’s even more impressive for the 29-year-old from Scarborough, Ontario, is the chemistry that he’s built with his younger linemates Nick Suzuki (21) and Cole Caufield (20). Head coach Dominique Ducharme put the three forwards together in Game 4 against Toronto, and although, in that particular game, they did not come away with any results, they have been terrific in the last seven games. In fact, the trio has combined for seven goals and 19 points during their winning stretch.
Montreal uses a balanced effort from all four of their lines, but there is no question that when the team is in need of some offence, Ducharme leans on the trio led by Toffoli. There is no denying that without him in the lineup, the team would have probably never made it to the playoffs. He gives them a pure goal-scoring ability, something they have not had since Max Pacioretty, who just happens to be the Habs’ next opponent.
Up next for Toffoli and the Canadiens are the Vegas Golden Knights and their former captain, and you can bet that Toffoli’s line will be asked to have an important role against them.