Tyler Toffoli Cementing Himself as one of the Flames’ Best this Season
There is much to be said about the Calgary Flames this season, but the inconsistency has been the most consistent storyline. That being said, there is one player in particular, that proves to be one of the most reliable pieces of the team and is in the midst of a career year. That player is Tyler Toffoli. The reliability of Toffoli and his big-time contributions just might make him Calgary’s best player this season so far.
Team View
As of February 26th, Tyler Toffoli leads the team in goals and overall points. He arguably should have been the Flames’ All-Star game representative or at least the last man-in candidate. However, Nazem Kadri represented the Flames and was a worthy candidate himself.
With 60 games played this season, Toffoli is averaging just about a point per game with 25 goals, and 27 assists for a total of 52 points. He is tied with Nazem Kadri for power-play goals with nine. If you hadn’t even watched Toffoli’s game on the ice, the results are in writing with how well he has been performing statistically.
Toffoli has tied his personal NHL season assist record already and is six points away from his personal best season in points. He reached 58 total points with the Los Angeles Kings back in 2015-16 and that was considered his career year. The Flames still have 22 games left to go in the season so he is projected to overthrow that record with ease and replace that season with the Kings with this season with the Flames as one of his best.
The Impact
Even in some of the toughest games to watch for the Flames this season, Toffoli has been that positive spark. Most recently, the Flames lost to the Colorado Avalanche on February 25th by a score of 4-1. The only goal scorer? None other than Tyler Toffoli. There are many times he is the guy to get things started whether it is on some high-danger scoring chances or quite literally the first goal of the game.
With the Flames down some of the previous go-to All-Stars, this was the season they needed the guys they had to step up and fill some scoring gaps. Especially with their 2021-22 Vezina trophy candidate, Jakob Markstrom, having an uncharacteristic season and struggling to reprise his role as a lights-out starter.
With their struggles and big-time offseason losses, they have had no other option than to look within for leadership, scoring and energy night in and night out. Toffoli is a Stanley Cup winner and even when he’s off the board, his impact is felt in his efforts every single game. It’s very rare that you see him have an off night or be outplayed effort-wise by his opponents. That is the type of player the Flames need to hold onto.
Trade Winners?
Toffoli was a trade deadline pickup by the Flames in 2022 from the Montreal Canadiens. The Flames gave up Tyler Pitlick and Emil Heineman as well as a 2022 first-round draft pick and a 2023 fifth-round draft pick.
Tyler Pitlick ended up with the St. Louis Blues this season and has nine total points in 44 games. Emil Heineman is playing in the Swedish league this season with 13 points in 30 games. Draft picks aside and apples-to-apples comparison by points, the Flames appeared to get quite a good return on this trade without giving up any largely detrimental players in their everyday lineup or prospect pool.
With the trade deadline approaching, Toffoli could hold pretty good value based on his season so far, but it doesn’t seem to be in the Flames’ best interest to throw him on the market. If there isn’t a perfect storm to move him in a blockbuster trade, the Flames should keep him around to continue to relish in last year’s successful trade deadline move. Toffoli’s style of play is essential to this Flames team and the best-case scenario would be to keep him around for the ride regardless of which way it is headed in the short term.