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.