Brad Treliving pulled the trigger trigger on a trade today sending a First round pick in 2022, Swedish prospect Emil Heinemen, and Tyler Pitlick to the Montreal Canadiens for right winger Tyler Toffoli.
The first round pick will transfer to a 2023 first and a 2023 third if it end up being a top ten selection this year.
Toffoli
The 6’0” 196lbs Toffoli played under Daryl Sutter in LA for four full seasons and was instrumental in both cup runs as a source of secondary scoring. Even as a rookie, Darryl had singled Toffoli out as the Kings’ best winger on some occasions. Toffoli brought his patient offensive game to the Habs two offseasons ago. He played an important role in their run to the Stanley Cup Final.
The right winger from Scarborough, Ontario has nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points in 37 games this season on an offence starved Canadiens team.
Emil Heineman
The 20 year old 6’1” 185lbs left wing has been a roster player with Leksands of the SHL for the last three seasons— no easy feat. He has 16 points in 36 games. He is tied for 22nd in goal scoring with 11.
His hard nosed, attack the puck style has gotten him far in his young career. He’ll likely need a year in Laval of the AHL, but given his experience playing against men; he has a shot at making the Canadiens roster sooner than later.
Tyler Pitlick
Pitlick has struggled with various injury issues since the middle of the 20-21 season. He had a torn MCL, a ruptured spleen, and contracted COVID-19. That was all in the season prior to coming to Calgary.
It was slightly better, but not great in Calgary. A shoulder injury and nagging other injuries took him out of the lineup at any given point in this half season. He, once again, contracted COVID-19 in December.
When healthy, he plays with some serious bite. He made up the right side of the Coyotes shutdown line alongside Christian Dvorak and Lawson Crouse. That line found a great amount of success on the defensive side of the game, but registered zero goals.
He has two assists in 25 games this season.
Should he get himself healthy, the Canadiens will have a good shutdown winger who is hard to play against. Flames fans were quick to pile on him for looking invisible on the ice, but the guy has been through a lot physically without much recognition.
The 30 year old right winger from Minneapolis, Minnesota is a UFA at season’s end and carries a 1.75 million dollar cap hit.
Trevor Neufeld