Trade Grade: Montreal Canadians Trade Tyler Toffoli to the Calgary Flames

One of my favorite part about sports involves transactions. You never know what is going to happen and who will get traded. Some trades are surprising and others that are unsurprising. This is a trade that was not a surprise and it involves forward Tyler Toffoli in a deal made between the Montreal Canadians and the Calgary Flames.

Montreal Canadians Acquire: F Emil Heineman, F Tyler Pitlick, 2022 1st Round Pick, and 2023 5th Round Pick
Calgary Flames Acquire: F Tyler Toffoli

Montreal Canadians Side

Like I said in the Andre Hammond trade Montreal is going nowhere this season and they are a team that is going to be in a rebuild soon. They are going to be big sellers during the trade deadline to help with their rebuild by acquiring picks and prospects. It was obvious that Tyler Toffoli was somehow going to be flipped during the trade deadline. Especially as he was not going to be a part of their long term future. So why not trade him for some value now when he is hot on the market then when he is in a slump. The Canadians would have gotten a little more for Toffoli but at least they get more draft picks, cleared money in salary cap, and got a decent prospect in Heineman. Tyler Pitlick was more of a throw in and I would be shocked if he is resigned as his contract expires at the end of the season.

Calgary Flames Side

When I heard that the Flames acquired Tyler Toffoli I was unsurprised as the Calgary Flames needed to get some more players that can contribute offensively and be a playmaker. Toffoli can absolutely help them with that. The Flames did not give up much in this deal either as Emil Heinenman is a decent prospect and Tyler Pitlick was mainly a throw in. The best part in acquiring Toffoli is that he doesn’t have a completely bad contract as his cap hit is at 4.25 million dollars and he has 3 years left on his contract. Now apparently the 1st round pick they gave is a Top 10 protected pick and if that happens then Calgary can send a 2023 1st round pick and a 2024 4th round pick instead but let’s be real that’s not happening. Calgary is going to be in the playoffs this season and are trying to push for a deep playoff push as this could be one of their last chances as the core is getting older and Johnny Gaudreau could leave as his contract expires next season.

Grades for Tyler Toffoli Trade
Montreal Canadians B+
Calgary Flames A

This is a win win trade for both teams but I will give the leverage to the Calgary Flames. The Flames need depth and scorers to help in their playoff push. I do think Montreal could of gotten more trading Tyler Toffoli but the compensation is fair enough and Toffoli was not going to be a part of the Canadians for the long term. Overall great move by both teams.