In his final interview of the season, San Jose Sharks forward Tyler Toffoli spent some time with the media talking about how the season ended, the growth of the team and how San Jose can attract free agents in the offseason. He also reflected on his 30 goal season and how now, as a veteran in the NHL, he can help guide the younger forwards on the team.
Toffoli on how the season ended
“I think it sucks, obviously but we knew the position that we’re in, but we always try and hope to win the last game of the season and we had some chances, obviously, but just really disappointing and disappointing season overall.”
On the roster gaining “valuable experience” this season
“I think there’s got to be frustration for everyone. I think, obviously, we knew the position that we were in and all that, but we were in a lot of games, and I thought we should have won a lot more games, personally. It’s definitely, like I said, definitely frustrated, but at the same time, you got to take it and use it as motivation within the summer and do whatever you think you need to do to get yourself better and be ready for next season. And at the end of the day, have this feeling in your stomach and know that you don’t want to have this feeling again.”
On whether conditioning played a part in the third period letdowns
“Maybe. I know there’s a lot of factors, to be honest, that goes into it. A lot of breakdowns and just not being able to find a way. Even, there were some games where we were down a goal and we had opportunities to make a push, and the push just wasn’t really there. So I mean, if that’s conditioning, and then potentially, but I think there were a lot of factors.”
Toffoli on whether the team is on the same path as he envisioned when he signed in the offseason
“Of course. I have no regrets on signing here and being here. At the end of the day, it was my decision. I think I definitely had a fun year in regards of being around the guys and the guys in the locker room and making new friends and all that. But at the end of the day, it’s our job, and our job is to win hockey games, and we definitely did do that. You go into the summer, and like I was just saying, you got to be excited to get yourself better and earn more responsibility for next season.”
Does the fun during the season create excitement to go to work in the offseason?
“I don’t necessarily want to say I don’t want to have fun, but I’d rather be winning more games than having fun off the ice and that’s what our job is. Like I said, we have a responsibility within ourselves. And the teams that I’ve been on that have been successful are really close and a close knit group, and I think we’re on the path of doing that, and it’s just a matter of committing ourselves to it and getting the job done.”
Are there some positives from this season?
“Yeah, we were in a lot of games. I thought we beat some really good teams, some teams that might win the Stanley Cup. And whenever you can do that, then you know that’s a positive.”
What can the team do immediately to start winning these close games?
“The day after the last game of the season, I haven’t really thought about it, to be honest. I guess if I were to say one thing, just being able to dig deep and find a way, whether that’s blocking a shot or getting the puck out or even scoring a goal to go up by two instead of trying to hold on to the lead by one. I mean, there’s many different things that can push us over the edge, and I think if we all understand what we need to do, and we’re all on the same page. And, you know, we’ll be able to take the next step.”
Toffoli on the secret to his success after his fourth 30 goal season
“I got asked the other day, too. I’ve been put in a position to succeed, and I try and take advantage of the situation, and I feel like I’m playing at my best when I’m confident on the ice. And for the most part, I felt really confident on being able to make plays, obviously scoring, but make plays all over the ice. It was just one of those seasons, again, where things kind of went my way. And kudos to the guys that I was playing with and the position I was in.”
How does SJ make this an attractive place to play for free agents?
“I mean, one, seeing Will and Mack on the ice is definitely going to be a big factor. I don’t talk to very many guys out there, but they see it, and they say that he’s an incredible talent, Macklin especially. So that’s got to be exciting. And guys who want to be part of something special, it’s one of those things. So that’s not necessarily my job to be able to bring guys in, but I do my best to try and help, and if guys call me and ask what it’s like, I’m gonna be honest with them and tell them how it is, and hopefully they’ll want to join it.”
On whether he thought about being the next captain of the Sharks
“I haven’t. There’s a lot of guys that came in here and do a great job to this team. So, you know, it’s one of those things where I’m looking forward to this summer and trying to get myself better and help lead this team, honestly, in any way I can. And what I’ve done in the past, because it’s nothing, it’s one of those things where next year’s a new season, and we got to turn this thing around.”
Toffoli on his offseason plans
“I do my best to not think about hockey as much as I can. Have as much fun, but at the end of the day, to get my work in when it’s time. And like I said, I like to enjoy my summers now. I’ve done the Worlds and stuff a few times now, so I don’t necessarily plan on going, no.”
Where do you plan to go this summer for training?
“I’ll probably move around a little bit, still trying to work on those things. Gonna enjoy my couple weeks here, staying away from the rink and out of the gym, and when it’s time to get back to work, that’s when figure things out for sure.”
How nice is it to know you have a summer where you know you won’t be moved/traded?
“Yeah, my stuff’s not in storage. And I can come home to my house whenever I feel like it, and not be worried about what house I’m gonna be renting next.”
Toffoli on his memories as a young player on the Los Angeles Kings’ Stanley Cup winning team, how the veterans guided him and how he can guide young players
“I think it’s different. The league’s definitely changed from when I came in. It’s one of those things where I did my best to try and be as hard on guys as possible without going over the edge and pushing them away. And I feel like I did a relatively good job. I mean, I didn’t have any eff yous with anyone this year. Thought about it with Will and Mack a little bit (laughs) no, but I think at the end of the day, there’s going to be that tough love. And obviously, like I said, it’s different. I came in the league playing for Darryl Sutter and Dean Lombardi was in charge, so there’s a lot of tough love there, so it’s different, but at the end of the day, I think it’s good, I think it’s needed. And when there’s that healthy competition in the room, I think that makes guys better and teams better.”
Toffoli’s thoughts on the Logan Couture retirement and knowing that they were both captains on the Ottawa 67s
“When I came in, I played for Killer for one season, but I know how important he was for Cooch, and I remember sitting beside Cooch my first year in the league, too. So he’s a great leader. And like I’ve said before, he obviously meant a lot for the 67s, especially, but also for the San Jose Sharks. And you know, it’s one of those things where a lot of guys have looked up to him throughout his career, and he definitely left his mark.”
How do you walk the fine line of tough love as a leader?
“You never know. I think that’s the beauty of it. You want to push people to their limits. And like I said, I was pushed to my limits by Darryl [Sutter] and Dean [Lombardi] and many guys that I played with, and I think that’s maybe the player that I am and has helped me have the career that I’ve had.”
Would you like to see the Sharks adopt some of that style that Sutter liked?
“Like I said, the game’s changed. I don’t think some of the guys could handle it in a way, but no, I mean, I think there’s obviously a lot that we can do better for next season, and that’s not being an asshole to anyone. We’re the worst in the league, so we have to figure out a way to get better. And whatever that is, obviously, there’s going to be conversation within the summer, and we’ll have to work on things. And like I said, whatever that is, we’re gonna have to find a way ourselves.”
Who should win the Hart Trophy this year?
I thought when we played against Colorado, Nate [MacKinnon] was pretty incredible. So we’ll see what happens. But there’s so many guys that had incredible years. So every year is a new challenge. But I think I’ll be voting for Nate this year.
How did you see Mack and Will grow from the first day of camp?
“I think you just saw the confidence on the ice. I think from the start of the year, they were trying to make plays and do all those things, but towards the end of the year, they were making the plays and I think that’s what happens when you grow as a player. Like I was saying about myself, the more confident you are on the ice and know that you’re capable of making the plays and all those things, then good things will start happening and that’s what started happening for them.”
What’s the next step for Mack and Will?
“Go home in the summer and work out.”
