- Tyler Toffoli told Sharks rookies that Carey Price would unretire and play for San Jose
- Will Smith was reportedly the most excited about the fake news
- Read below for details on Toffoli’s funny locker room prank
Tyler Toffoli pulled a fast one on the Sharks’ young guys. And they bought it hook, line and sinker.
The veteran forward convinced several San Jose rookies that Carey Price was coming out of retirement to play for the Sharks. This prank happened right after the team acquired Price’s contract from Montreal in early September, which was purely a cap-related move.
Toffoli’s wife, Cat, spilled the beans on the “Never Offside with Julie & Cat” podcast. She explained that Toffoli claimed he had inside info from her, along with Price and Price’s wife, Angela.
“When I tell you, they were so excited,” Cat said on the podcast.
The biggest believer? That’d be 20-year-old Will Smith, according to Cat. The rookie who potted 18 goals last season was apparently over the moon about Price joining the team.
Defenseman Vincent Desharnais confirmed the whole thing went down. He said some young players “took the bait, like hungry trout.”
Before starting the rumor, Toffoli made sure to tell the team’s actual goalies it was just a gag so they wouldn’t start sweating their job security.
Price hasn’t played since 2021-22 thanks to knee issues, and he’s made it clear he’s done for good. The trade to San Jose was all business: the Sharks grabbed Price’s contract and a 2026 fifth-rounder, sending Gannon Laroque the other way.
The prank gave a rebuilding Sharks squad something to laugh about as they look ahead to 2025-26. Toffoli, who lit the lamp 30 times last year, has shown time and time again that he knows how to keep a locker room loose.
Price owns Montreal’s all-time wins record with 361. But his playing days are long behind him. The Sharks rookies just didn’t get the memo – at least not until Toffoli let them in on the joke.
