What the Flames and Devils get in Toffoli-Sharangovich trade

When Craig Conroy was the Flames assistant GM last summer, he watched as Johnny Gaudreau strode into free agency and landed in Columbus for no return. When he took over as GM last month, Conroy was immediately faced with similar critical decisions on six veteran, core players who are all one year away from free agency themselves.

It was a hot topic at his introductory press conference, when Conroy answered by saying he wouldn't let the Gaudreau situation play out again.

Mikael Backlund acknowledged to Sportsnet's Luke Fox that there were going to be changes in Calgary this summer and the long-time Flame has to consider his own future. Elias Lindholm is mulling his contract as well, and if he decides not to re-sign the whole thing could come down. It's been reported that Noah Hanifin intends to return to play in the USA, and the Flames will have to look for a resolution there before he also comes up for 2024 free agency.

But the first off the board was Tyler Toffoli, the team's leading scorer this past season. He had requested a move out of Calgary and ends up joining the New Jersey Devils where he'll add veteran scoring depth to a team that already finished top five in offence this past season.

For Calgary, this is the start of something new, but just what shape that ultimately takes could be determined in days. They still only hold their own first-round pick (16th overall), but may they add more, or a notable prospect, for another of these dominos? Or will they keep seeking young-ish pros with potential for quick impact, such as Yegor Sharangovich, who comes back in the Toffoli swap?

The Flames accomplish the task of getting younger with Sharangovich, 25, and his extension as an RFA will save the Flames some $2 million from Toffoli's rate. Sharangovich's arc is interesting in that he's gone from 16 goals (in 54 games) as a rookie to 24 goals and then dropping to 13 this past season, when he lost a plum spot on Jack Hughes' line.

If Sharangovich can be a productive top six player for a winning Flames team then Conroy's first trade could pan out, but at the cost of their leading goal scorer this wasn't a cheap acquisition.

For more on the deal we turn to our scout, Jason Bukala...

TO NEW JERSEY: TYLER TOFFOLI

The winds of change are in motion in Calgary, with the Flames moving out Tyler Toffoli. The move, in my opinion, signals a couple things. It says GM Craig Conroy isn’t going to sit tight and “hope” players want to remain in Calgary long term. It also alerts players like Mikael Backlund, Elias Lindholm, and Noah Hanifin that the organization has no plans to be held hostage by players who don’t believe in the direction of the franchise.

Toffoli is coming off a productive season in Calgary. He scored 34 goals and 39 assists to lead the team. He would have been the third-leading scorer in New Jersey with those numbers. Toffoli adds another layer of scoring depth to the Devils lineup, though he doesn’t necessarily fit the style they like to play as one of the fastest teams in the NHL that likes to push up and down the ice. Having said that, Toffoli has scored at every stop in his career. The Devils recognize how Toffoli approaches the game and the kind of impact he will provide.

The Devils are entering their contention window and Toffoli makes them a better team.

TO CALGARY: YEGOR SHARANGOVICH

Sharangovich is an interesting acquisition for the Flames. He’s a rangy forward whose offence fell off pretty dramatically this past season. He lost his role on the power play and skating alongside Jack Hughes, which has to be considered when breaking down his scoring (13 goals, 17 assists). Here was my scouting report on Sharangovich before this trade:

Sharangovich can be an enigma to scout. For some reason he’s traditionally been a slow starter at the beginning of the season. He also seems to score in streaks. But when he's on, there is much to like about him.

He has good size and he moves well. He drives the middle lane off the puck and scores from around the crease. He has very good hands and the ability to corral pucks quickly and deposit them in the net. His role in New Jersey fell off this year. From the outside looking in he doesn’t look to be a fit for where the team is going in the future. I see Sharangovich as a middle-six forward who still has top-six upside and can be used in all situations. Factoring in his young age (26) makes him even more attractive as a trade target.