Tyler Toffoli is testing the free agent market and the Islanders have a Toffoli-sized hole in their top-six.

However, like all potential free agent signings, Lou Lamoriello and the Islanders will have to decide if they have enough money to pursue him.

Tyler Toffoli and the Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks traded Tim Schaller, Tyler Madden and a 2020 second-round pick from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Toffoli in February.

Toffoli was a great addition for Vancouver, notching six goals and 10 points in 10 regular season games. In the postseason, he added four more points in seven contests.

He has scored 30 goals in a season in his career and has come up clutch in big moments. The Canucks loved the addition and did everything they could to bring back the 28-year-old winger, even reportedly shopping Brock Boeser, but the two parties could not come to an agreement.

“You definitely want the security for yourself and for your family,” said Toffoli. “If things progress, and not in the right direction, then that’s when I have to think about going to a different place.”

Now, he will test the open market Friday afternoon. Could the Islanders pounce?

Tyler Toffoli Fits With The Islanders

Lou Lamoriello likes winners. Toffoli won the Stanley Cup with the Los Angeles Kings in 2014.

Lou Lamoriello likes physicality. Toffoli has 433 career hits, played injured in the postseason and is one of the hardest workers on the ice every night.

And most importantly, Lou Lamoriello and the New York Islanders need scoring. Toffoli totaled 24 goals goals last year in a comeback season that was shortened due to COVID-19.

Toffoli is a power-play specialist and has one of the best shots in hockey. The Islanders need to address their play on the man-advantage and Toffoli would be a great fit.

If you’re Vancouver how do you not make space for Toffoli. Ouch. pic.twitter.com/5pWnGB0dwY

— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) October 6, 2020

However, like many unrestricted free agents, the Islanders will not have enough money to sign Toffoli. With Andrew Ladd, Johnny Boychuk, Nick Leddy, Leo Komarov and Thomas Hickey under contract, as well as veterans Anders Lee, Jordan Eberle and Brock Nelson, they will have limited funds this offseason. Not to mention, Mathew Barzal, Ryan Pulock and Devon Toews need new deals.

Vancouver, like New York, is in a difficult salary cap situation, and if they could not make the space for him, Lamoriello will most likely not be able to as well.

Nonetheless, Lamoriello works in silence, so he could be ready to pounce on a player like Toffoli in the coming days, even though it is unlikely.

If you want to see more feasible free agent targets, click here!

David Lazar