Toffoli to the Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks have acquired winger Tyler Toffoli from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for forward Tim Schaller, a second-round pick and forward prospect Tyler Madden. If Toffoli re-signs with the Canucks, the Kings will receive a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2022.
The Vancouver Canucks acquire Tyler Toffoli from the LA Kings (Photo via NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Quite the coup by Vancouver general manager Jim Benning. Toffoli was among the notable names believed available heading toward the Feb. 24 trade deadline. Recent rumors linked the 27-year-old winger to the Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars, New York Islanders and St. Louis Blues. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports the Kings didn’t retain salary in this deal because having Schaller in the deal balanced out the salaries.
A versatile two-way forward, Toffoli can skate at center or on the wing. With 18 goals and 34 points, he’s on pace to reach 20 goals and 40 points for the fourth time in his eight-year NHL career. He also has good speed and is an effective penalty killer.
Toffoli helped the Kings win the Stanley Cup in 2014. His skills and playoff experience should provide a welcome boost to the Canucks’ forward lines down the stretch as they jockey for playoff position.
There was some talk of the Canucks bringing in New Jersey Devils winger Wayne Simmonds to replace sidelined power forward Micheal Ferland. Having acquired Toffoli, it remains to be seen if they’ll bring in additional grit to their forward lines. This move leaves the Canucks without a pick in the first and second rounds of this year’s draft.
Kings GM Rob Blake remains busy with his rebuild, having shipped goalie Jack Campbell and winger Kyle Clifford earlier this month to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Schaller, a checking-line winger, is a UFA this summer. It remains to be seen if he’ll have a future with the Kings after this season.
Madden, 20, is the son of former NHL forward John Madden. He’s in his second season at Northeastern University and is projected as a hard-working sniper. It could be a couple of years yet before he joins the Kings. This deal gives the Kings two second-round picks in this year’s draft.
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Well, JB is betting the farm that this team will have a long playoff run. Schaller was a salary dump and Madden must have indicated he had no intention of signing with the Canucks after finishing up college.
if they fail to make the playoffs or are out in the first round, JB has to go. The Canucks 2020 cupboard will get nothing for the future
Good morning
With an injury to Boeser who may be out 3 – 4 weeks and the news that Ferland is done for the season .
.Benning had to do something …I like the BALLS of this trade …he is getting a Vezina year from Markstrom Hughes is playing up to Calder potential and the offence is putting up some decent numbers ..so why not try and make playoffs and get this group a taste and give the fans a nice run.
I thought Palmieri would have been the better fit ,,but after what Fitzgerald got for Coleman he must be asking another kings ransom for Palmierei ( if available ) as he has some term left as well…so it would have cost a quality active top 6 roster player back in something like that.
So far Benning has been smarter than Dubas and not giving up a 1 st and 7th in a deep draft to get rid of either Sutter or Erickson contract !
But time will tell ..I hear the Wings will listen as they are on Backes ,,,and may be wiling to take on a bad contract with incentive ..being a first rounder ..
In any regards ..LOVE this move by Benning I have to say this guy surprises me with a myriad of weird deals that seem to have some thought behind things even when at first it seems as not the most popular or fancy thing to do !
I really hope they get in the playoffs !
Sounds like the Canucks are happy at Center for the next 4-6 years and didn’t really see Maddin takin a spot from Pettersen, Horvat or Gaudette all pretty young
Seriously? The Canucks have enough young talent right now to forgo a year of 1rst and 2nd round picks. The pacific is open to anyone who wants it and you cant win a cup with a halfassed effort. From the players and management.
This is a solid move by the canucks. If Toffoli stays long term it only creates better balance in their forward group for years to come.