A reunion between the Montreal Canadiens and top-six winger Tyler Toffoli could solve the Habs’ scoring needs.
Toffoli played for parts of two seasons with the Canadiens after signing a four-year, $17 million contract in 2020. However, Toffoli found himself traded to the Calgary Flames leading up to the 2022 trade deadline.
Since then, Toffoli has played with the New Jersey Devils, Winnipeg Jets, and San Jose Sharks. He continues to be a solid top-six winger, scoring 30 goals over the last three seasons. The 32-year-old is entering the second year of a four-year deal signed with the Sharks during last offseason. His $6 million cap hit is reasonable, making him a decent option for the Canadiens.
Montreal has been the subject of speculation regarding its desire to add another top-six forward this summer. While the target is a center, rumors suggest the Canadiens could settle for a scoring winger.
As it stands, the Canadiens would have to trade for Toffoli. What the return for Toffoli might look like remains to be seen. Reports indicate that the Canadiens are unwilling to trade current roster pieces.
For instance, a report from RG Media on August 12 underscored how the Canadiens would like to upgrade, but using futures, not current roster pieces. That situation means the Canadiens would utilize draft picks or potentially mid-tier prospects to get a deal done.
Canadiens Could Use Toffoli on Second Line
Tyler Toffoli could be a solid fit on the Montreal Canadiens’ second line. Daily Faceoff currently projects the Habs’ second unit as Kirby Dach flanked by Ivan Demidov and Zack Bolduc. However, that line comes with question marks.
Firstly, Dach is uncertain to start the season. Dach has been on the recovery path following knee surgery last season. The club believed he would be ready for the start of this upcoming season. But now it seems unclear whether that will be the case.
Secondly, the Canadiens are excited about rolling out Demidov in their top six after last season’s encouraging sample. Nevertheless, Demidov is a rookie. That’s why a strong season is not a lock for the Russian phenom.
That’s why adding a proven veteran scorer like Toffoli would make sense. Toffoli would instantly solidify the Habs’ top six while addressing the team’s secondary scoring needs. If needed, Toffoli could also step into the Canadiens’ top six.
That’s why adding Toffoli could be one of the smartest moves the Canadiens could make this offseason.
Concerns May Linger from First Stint in Montreal
Toffoli’s first go-around with the Canadiens was a bit of a mixed bag. In his first season, Toffoli scored 28 goals in 52 games. The numbers were highly encouraging as the Canadiens made a surprise trip to the Stanley Cup Final.
The following season, unfortunately, the wheel fell off in Montreal. The sour season precipitated the club’s rebuild, leading the team to move Toffoli to the Calgary Flames. In his second season, Toffoli scored nine goals in 37 games. That situation prompted questions marks about his effectiveness.
His numbers since leaving Montreal have been consistent, meaning that the tough showing in 2021-22 was an outlier. While question marks may linger, it’s safe to chalk up those struggles to a bad overall team rather than ineffectiveness or inconsistency.
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