Devils & Toffoli “Talk All The Time” About Extension

The New Jersey Devils acquired Tyler Toffoli this past offseason in a trade with the Calgary Flames. The top-six forward is a pending unrestricted free agent next summer, and the Devils want to re-sign him. But, says Ryan Novozinski of NJ Advance Media, there are a couple of caveats to overcome first. 

The #NJDevils love Tyler Toffoli. They almost brought him in before he signed with Montreal in 2020.

GM Tom Fitzgerald said he’s talks to his agent about an extension “all the time.”

But there’s a few catches…https://t.co/Kivp3kjYM6

— Ryan Novozinsky (@ryannovo62) November 9, 2023

GM Tom Fitzgerald says they talk to Toffoli's agent about an extension "all the time." But Toffoli's age is certainly one issue that will affect the negotiations.

“Sure, we’re going to continue having discussions, but I have a business to run here as well,” Fitzgerald said. “He’s 31 years old, that has to be in the equation too. The other thing is, I have other guys whose contracts are up. Where’s Dawson Mercer going to reprice at? Luke Hughes, an extension that won’t affect next year. And the cap is going up.”

In other words, they aren't close on dollars and term just yet. 

That being said, "I know he likes it here... (and) We like Tyler Toffoli. I wouldn’t have brought him in if we didn’t like him. We were in discussions a few years ago when he signed with Montreal," Fitzgerald noted.  

Certainly, Toffoli is holding up his end of the bargain. The 34-goal scorer last year currently has 8 goals and 13 points in 12 games. That's on pace for 89 points and 55 goals. He's definitely due for a nice raise from his $4.25M AAV. 

Time will tell how this plays out, but in the end, both parties, at least, are on the same page. 

Photo: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports