Toffoli ‘feeling really comfortable’ with Jets
Alex Iafallo provided a personal welcoming committee for old friend Tyler Toffoli on Sunday night after the new member of the Jets arrived in Winnipeg.
“We’re good buddies,” Iafallo said Monday. “I see him in the summer as well, him and his wife. It was good to see him and have dinner with him. They got in (Sunday) night so just a little welcome and now let’s get it going. It should be fun.”
Iafallo, a veteran winger who joined the Jets last summer in the Pierre-luc Dubois trade, played three seasons with Toffoli in Los Angeles and has a first-hand understanding of what the new forward can bring to the team.
“It’s a big pick-up,” Iafallo said. “A great offensive player and a great guy in the room. He’s going to be a lot of help for us. He’s pumped to be here, we’re pumped to have him, so let’s get this going on the right foot.”
Toffoli, a 31-year-old who has 26 goals this season, made his Jets debut on Monday night. Winnipeg blanked the Washington Capitals 3-0 at Canada Life Centre. Toffoli was held without a point in the game.
He was acquired last Friday for a pair of draft picks and he’s been immediately thrusted into a prominent role. On Monday, he played on a line with centre Sean Monahan and Iafallo and was part of the first power play unit.
“He played with (Iafallo) in L.A., he played with (Monahan) in junior and they’re good friends,” Jets head coach Rick Bowness said.
“I think it’s a very comfortable setting for him to step into. We know what he can do. When you go around the league this year, you get a good feel for each team and how they play. He knows we’re a hard team to play against when we’re on top of our game. He’ll fit right in.”
Toffoli and Monahan were linemates with the Ottawa 67s of the Ontario Hockey League back in 2010-11. That year Toffoli had 57 goals and 108 points, while Monahan put up 20 goals and 47 points as a 16-year-old rookie.
They also played together with the Calgary Flames a couple years ago.
“I talked to Bones, and he said it’s going to be good with (Monahan) and (Iafallo),” Toffoli said. “I played with (Iafallo) in L.A., too. I’m excited for it. It definitely feels a little familiar.
“Obviously I’ve been around for a while, so I know most of the guys, too. Feeling really comfortable.”
Following Monday's win, the Jets improved to 41-18-5 and 87 points. They’re two points behind first-place Dallas in the Central Division but have two games in hand.
Although they were coming off a humbling 5-0 loss to the Canucks in Vancouver on Saturday, it was certainly a chipper group on the ice and in the locker room on Monday.
“There’s a lot of buzz in the room,” Iafallo said. “It’s a good energy boost, especially at this time of year when you know you need to win games and you want to push forward. That boost should give us some momentum.”
As for his welcoming committee in Winnipeg, Toffoli said it helped him and his wife to get settled more quickly.
“Just a quick dinner,” Toffoli said. “It was a long day for Millsy and I travelling and trying to get settled in. I called (Iafallo) when we got in, he said to meet for dinner. So, we had a quick little dinner and I got some rest.”
Did his old buddy pick up the tab?
“He did,” Toffoli said. “That’s the first time. Normally it’s me picking up the tab for him back in the day, so that’s nice.”