Carolina Hurricanes Free Agency Preview: Forwards

Tyler Toffoli

The top right shooting option available, Tyler Toffoli is more of a power forward than the names mentioned so far. For the more casual fan, he is most commonly known for being a part of the “That’s 70s Line” with Jeff Carter and Tanner Pearson. A line, that when it was put together, was as good of a line as there was in the entire NHL.

After a few mediocre seasons, he was a guy who looked as if he was in need of a change in scenery. Getting traded from the L.A. Kings right before the deadline, he appeared to be back on track before the hiatus.

As a five-time 20 goal scorer, he knows how to find the back of the net. In his last game as a King, he scored a hat trick in an outdoor Stadium Series game versus the Colorado Avalanche. His hot hands continued in his first games as a Canuck, with 6 goals in 10 games. Given how well things have gone for him so far, it won’t come as a big shock if he is extended in Vancouver.

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Should he hit the open market, he would provide a team with tons of valuable playoff experience as a former Stanley Cup winner. Playing a few seasons with Justin Williams, the Hurricanes’ organization has a guy they can go to get a decent read on what kind of fit Toffoli would be both on and off the ice.

Usually good for 40-45ish points, he would only be a slight upgrade of a guy like Niederreiter, should both be playing to their full potential. Having both of these players would be a bit redundant, making a signing highly unlikely.

Had the Hurricanes not gone out and acquired Trocheck there may have been more of fit here, but the need for right-shot forwards is not as big of a concern as it was a few months ago.