Tyler Toffoli: Capitalizing On Opportunities, Montreal Canadiens, Stanley Cup Playoffs

In October 2020, the Montreal Canadiens added Tyler Toffoli to their roster on a four-year deal. Before putting pen to paper on a lucrative contract with the Habs, the 29-year-old spent the 2019-20 season with the Vancouver Canucks. Since Toffoli departed the Rogers Arena, plenty has been made of the Nucks’ inability to re-sign him, with a lot of the blame directed at general manager Jim Benning. Thankfully for the Habs, the Canucks’ loss is the Montreal Canadiens’ gain. So, let’s take a look at Toffoli’s performances since moving to the Bell Centre.

Listening to Potentially Career-Defining Advice

There can be no doubt that things could have turned out very differently for Toffoli in 2020-21. But for all of the intrigue surrounding the 29-year-old’s decision to sign for the Canadiens, he may have ended up elsewhere had it not been for his agent, Pat Brisson. The 56-year-old agent told Toffoli that the right-winger would love Montreal, which played a key role in his decision to join the Habs.

Shortly after signing with the Canadiens, Toffoli stated that the team’s passionate supporters also played a part in him opting to move to the Bell Centre. Since then, it’s fair to say that the Habs’ loyal supporters haven’t been disappointed by the 29-year-old’s performances. In the regular season, the Scarborough-born right-winger scored 28 goals, which is his best return since 2015-16. It speaks volumes about his recent form that he played 30 more games that year. Toffoli has also rediscovered his creativity in the Marc Bergevin-managed team, creating 16 goals in his first 52 matches.

Can He Become a Superstar?

Few can argue that Toffoli can’t establish himself as a modern-day superstar while competing for the Montreal Canadiens. After finishing fourth in the North Division, the Habs have fought their way through the Stanley Cup playoffs and are now semi-finalists. Enroute to a spot in the last four, Toffoli scored four goals and assisted a further six in his first 11 playoff appearances for the 24-time Stanley Cup winners. If the 29-year-old can help guide Les Canadiens to their first Stanley Cup triumph since 1992-93, his name will undoubtedly go down in history.

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On the Cusp of Ending the Drought

While Stanley Cup success is the ultimate goal, the Canadiens’ performances throughout 2020-21 have shown that they’re taking steps to get back to the pinnacle. However, their progression will pain Canucks supporters, as they’re watching their former right-winger make the difference on the big stage. In hindsight, Toffoli couldn’t have made a better decision. Both individually and collectively, he and Les Canadiens are on the brink of success.

The spotlight will be on Toffoli as the Canadiens look to even up their best of seven semi-final match with the Vegas Golden Knights. Toffoli says, “Playing with the lead is huge – especially to be on the road. So, I think that’s going to be one of the key things for [Wednesday], is to have another good start and just capitalize on our opportunities.”