San Jose Sharks
Toffoli Already Excited for Next Year, Endorses Celebrini for Captain
Tyler Toffoli recognizes that he wasn’t as productive this season as he usually is.
Toffoli had 19 goals this season, breaking a streak of three consecutive 30-goal and six consecutive 20-goal campaigns.
In fairness, the San Jose Sharks’ winger suffered his lowest shooting-percentage, 11.0 percent, since 2021-22, 10.3. So maybe he was a little snake-bitten? Also, his 30 assists were the second-highest mark he’s reached in his 14 NHL seasons. Toffoli finished fifth on the Sharks in points with 49.
The 34-year-old winger is looking to get back to his customary consistency.
“There’s things to work on,” Toffoli said, of his summer plans. “Thought I played some really good hockey at times this season.”
So, how did the alternate captain assess the young team’s season? What were his thoughts on Macklin Celebrini’s historic season? Should Celebrini be captain next year? How do the San Jose Sharks make the playoffs next season? Toffoli discussed that, and more, at his exit interview.
Toffoli, on Celebrini’s leadership and potential to become captain:
He’s great. He’s just an intense human being, so being around him makes you want to be better. And I thought he did a really good job of taking care of the guys. Going on the road, wanting to get together with the guys all the time. Overall, just obviously an incredible season for him…
I mean, I don’t see a reason why not [Celebrini as captain next year]. I mean, obviously he leads by example. And when you work as hard as he does, like I was saying with how intense [he is] and everything that he brings. I definitely don’t see a reason, why not.
Toffoli on if Celebrini should be named captain: “ I don’t see a reason why not”
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 18, 2026
Toffoli, on what the San Jose Sharks learned during their playoff push:
It’s tough. It’s not easy to win. To be able to make the playoffs, isn’t easy either. And I think we understand that, in a sense, now. I think we can only continue to grow, learn, and get better.
And come back next year and understand that there are some games where you might not have it, and you just have to grind and find a way to get one extra point. Or whatever it is, and it can go a long way.
Toffoli, on Michael Misa and Sam Dickinson:
I think for them, [it’s] kind of similar. A lot of ups and downs. It’s not easy moving away, playing in the NHL, and being an everyday player. I think towards the end of year, they were playing some really good hockey. [I’m] obviously really happy for them, and I’m excited for what they can bring next year. They’re obviously a huge part of this organization.
Toffoli, on the closeness of this group:
Whenever we go on the road, the plane lands, and we’re already planning dinners and trying to get together, and hang out. We can’t get enough of it. A group of guys, a mix of 18-year-olds and 35-year-olds, and everybody gets along great. So, like I was saying, it was a lot of fun. Obviously coming up short is a little disappointing, but we’re really looking forward to [next year.]
See the full interview here
He’s should be so excited to bring the teams performance on the ice down again. What a great contract 😃 👍
I think most of us believed with near total certainty that Celebrini would be captain at some point. But I think he needed a season like this to prove the “C” is his. Until he has had a season like this or otherwise really put his stamp on the team, it looks too much like the “C” was bestowed by the marketing department. This season will give the “C” true credibility.
If injury was the reason the goal scoring was down, here’s hoping he can use the offseason to heal up and come back fresh next year. There were a lot of near misses and perhaps the drop in shooting percentage is simply due to something not being quite right. He was getting to the right spots on the ice all year. I’d be curious to see if metrics can pick up any other drops in his game that would be consistent with the injury theory, simple things like hits or puck battles won
He definitely spent a bunch of time looking like he was playing thru injury.
Yes, let’s hope it was not was just farther’s time and we can see him skate a little faster as after the Olympic break. Would be a challenge to justify to keep him in the top 9 with emerging Bystedt, Musty …
I hope he can find back to the level he had earlier in the season.
It is just the mobility that concerns a little.
Speed was never his game, and honestly the team has already gotten its money’s worth from the contract. Next year could be another year where it’s tough to find spots, but you could see a world where Toffoli and Goodrow sit some nights for maintenance and also to start to work in the young guys. If Toffoli gets dinged up for a couple weeks, could be Musty’s chance to show what he can do, and the team will have the luxury to let him heal. Win-win as I see it.
Doesn’t NHL track distance skated or average speed these days? Maybe that’ll be down if he has “lost a step.”
NHL Edge tracks advances stats, such as what you are asking about. For Toffoli, here is what I found:
Total miles skated: 170.01 (65th percentile)
Avg. miles skated per 60 mins: 8.62 (<50th percentile)
Most miles skated a game: 2.84 (<50th percentile)
Max skating speed: 21.44 on 2/24/26 (<50th percentile)
22 mph bursts: 0
20-22 mph bursts: 36 (<50th percentile)
18-22 mpg bursts: 228 (<50th percentile)
Yeah, the thing I’m thinking is not speed, I think it’s probably upper body. I don’t know the first thing about hockey shot mechanics but the baseball equivalent you might see is a wrist injury that says a hitter’s power and ability to use the fine motor skills required to put a bat on 99mph up in the zone. A similar problem might sap a guy’s accuracy and ability to beat a goalie where he wants. It just feels like Toff had a million pucks right on his stick, right in his spot and he just… missed. Repeatedly. It would… Read more »
If he tore an oblique or had a rib injury that would make almost everything hockey pretty difficult to play thru.
That would make getting out of bed unenjoyable