The Vancouver Canucks have acquired forward Tyler Toffoli from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Tim Schaller, Tyler Madden, and a second-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. Toffoli is set to become an unrestricted free agent at seasons end.
Toffoli has been traded to the Vancouver Canucks.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 18, 2020
Vancouver Adds Tyler Toffoli
As the Kings continue their rebuild, they ship out the versatile Toffoli as his contract is set to end at the end of the season. Toffoli spent his entire career with the Kings organization. In 58 games this season, Toffoli has scored 18 goals and added 16 assists for 34 points. Over his career, Toffoli has 139 goals and 151 assists for 290 points in 515 games. Toffoli was originally drafted by the Kings in the second round, 47th overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
As part of the deal, the Kings will not have to retain Toffoli’s salary of $4.6 million as the Kings will be getting Tim Schaller from the Canucks to make the transaction work. In addition, the Kings will receive a second round in the 2020 NHL Draft. If Toffoli re-signs with the Canucks, the Kings will get a conditional 2022 4th round draft pick.
Tim Schaller
Schaller signed originally signed with the Buffalo Sabres as an undrafted free agent out of Providence College. He did not make his NHL debut with the Sabres until the 2014-15 season. After becoming a free agent at the end of the 2015-16 season, he signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Boston Bruins. He would remain with the team through 17-18 season, before signing a two-year, $3.8 million deal with the Canucks in July of 2018. In his six-year career, Schaller has 57 points (29 goals and 28 assists) in 274 career games.
Tyler Madden
Tyler Madden is the son of former NHLer John Madden. Originally drafted in the third round 68th overall by the Canucks in the 2018 NHL Draft, Madden is currently playing for Northeastern University. In 20 games with Northeastern this year, he has 27 points (19 goals and 18 assists). The Kings are getting a highly-skilled offensive player with great mobility and hockey sense. He plays the game a lot like his father. Madden is a player with the instincts and skating that the Kings can develop into a reliable offensive asset. He is a very good skater who likes involving himself on the forecheck and on the backcheck. He plays a straightforward, north-south style of game.
Canucks Add Scoring Depth Amidst Playoff Push
In Tyler Toffoli, the Canucks gain a versatile forward capable of playing all three forward positions. Toffoli is a proven goal scorer, scoring over 20 goals three times over his six-year career. He came close to doing it in two other seasons, scoring 12 and 16 goals respectively. However, these were shortened seasons for the forward as he missed time due to injury. He also hit the 30 goal mark once.
Toffoli will also add another option to the club’s power play. Given his excellent shot and quick release, Toffoli would serve as a go-to trigger man on the top power-play unit.
Not only is Tyler Toffoli a strong offensive presence, but he brings a strong defensive game as well. Toffoli is a solid two-way player capable of playing both special teams. He was an important part of the Kings penalty kill unit. Although that unit ranks towards the bottom of the league in terms of percentage, that’s not due to Toffoli’s abilities, more so the product of being on a bad team.
Adding a player of Toffoli’s calibre is an outstanding grab for the team. He can move up and down the line up as needed and play any forward position. He will be an important player for the Canucks Stanley Cup run.
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