Tyler Toffoli gamble with the Sharks paying off

Not everyone saw the vision when the San Jose Sharks signed Tyler Toffoli to a four-year, $24 million contract in July of 2024. After all, the Sharks were a team at the very beginning of a rebuild, having just drafted some college kid named Macklin Celebrini first overall. Locking up a 32-year-old forward for four years didn’t seem to fit their timeline.

Fast forward to 2026, and San Jose’s timeline has caught up with Toffoli. The rapid development of Celebrini and fellow youngster Will Smith, among others, has the Sharks battling for a playoff spot in the Pacific Division. Now, Toffoli is a valuable veteran presence on a young, competitive team. The Scarborough, Ontario native has 13 goals and 19 assists for 32 points in 45 games this season, including three points and the overtime-winning goal in Saturday’s 5-4 win against the Dallas Stars.

On Monday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, hosts Tyler Yaremchuk and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton discussed the positive impact Toffoli has had in San Jose.

Tyler Yaremchuk: I feel like San Jose did make a bit of a statement on the weekend with their win over the Dallas Stars, and Toffoli was a massive part of it. The Sharks are something like minus-19 or minus-20 when Macklin Celebrini is off the ice at 5-on-5, but on Saturday, Tyler Toffoli chipped in. They had him playing away from Celebrini. He scored the OT winner, and I just kind of wanted to give some stick taps to a good veteran in Toffoli.

Listen, when he signed with the Sharks I was one of the people who made the joke that he’s signing in San Jose because he finally figured out that the paychecks are the same whether you make the playoffs or you don’t, so just sign in San Jose for six years, miss the playoffs and enjoy your long summers. But I’m eating my words a little bit here. That Sharks team has been fun, they’ve won more than they’ve lost this year. Third in the Pacific right now because of that big win over the Dallas Stars on the weekend. I just think San Jose continues to be a great story. Tyler Toffoli, popping at a 60-point pace right now for the Sharks.

You can catch the full discussion and the rest of Friday’s episode here…