Toffoli’s demotion based on “performance”

There was an interesting discussion raised on Twitter earlier today when Newsday New York Islanders beat writer Arthur Staple reported information that appeared to have an implication on the recent assignment of Tyler Toffoli to the Manchester Monarchs.

(1/2) Something to consider: NHL teams received a memo prior to season saying that a player who plays more than 15 of 20 games prior to…

— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) January 15, 2014

(2/2) Olympic break cannot be assigned to AHL during break. Strome move clearly made w/ eye to having him play during break. #Isles

— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) January 15, 2014

Not that it should have been doubted, but that report was confirmed by a member of the Kings hockey operations. Once a player appears in 16 of 20 games prior to the Olympic Break, he can not be assigned to the American Hockey League during the league’s three-week shutdown.

That being said, Toffoli’s assignment to Manchester was based on “performance,” as multiple members of the team’s hockey operations stated on Wednesday.

“He hasn’t scored a goal in 10 games,” Darryl Sutter said. “It’s like I told some guys on the ice today. Tyler got to go down to work on his game. Some guys get to go to the press box. Some guys get to go to the end of the bench. I said there’s not much you can do about it. Based on performance. Hey, Pearson, we’ve sent Lindy down. Every team does it. It’s not a big deal.”