Tyler Toffoli set to make debut

Barring any changes between now and 7:35 pm, Tyler Toffoli, the Los Angeles Kings’ top offensive prospect, will make his NHL debut tonight when the Kings host the San Jose Sharks at Staples Center.

Toffoli, who turns 21 on April 24, ranked second in the American Hockey League with 28 goals at the time of his call-up. He’ll skate as a right wing opposite Mike Richards with Jeff Carter at center to start and could also factor into the Kings’ penalty killing efforts.

Toffoli, on his debut:
“It’s obviously a pretty big step coming from Manch. It’s faster, so a couple of days skating with them – skating every day and working out – has really helped, and I feel pretty good right now.”

Toffoli, on his excitement:
“Yeah, I’m excited. I’m nervous. There’s a lot of mixed emotions right now, and I’m just really excited to get going, and we’ll see how the game goes.”

Toffoli, on whether there will be watch parties back in his hometown of Scarborough, Ontario:
“Oh yeah. Obviously my parents will be watching, and my friends and everybody I know, so I’m really excited. Like I said, we’ll see how the game goes.”

Toffoli, on what he brings to a team:
“Just creating lots of offense, shooting, getting pucks to the net and just scoring goals and just trying to make plays and just [helping] the team put points on the board.”

Toffoli, on debuting against former Ottawa 67’s teammate Logan Couture:
“My rookie year, I played with him. He’s a good guy, and when I took warm-ups, we kind of said hi to each other. It’ll be fun to…play against him. I haven’t really seen him in a while. I think he came to Ottawa last year for the [All-Star Game]…So I saw him a bit there. Other than that, I don’t really see him or talk to him a whole bunch, but it’ll be fun.”