Did Tyler Toffoli Deal Set The Trade Price For J.T. Miller?

The Calgary Flames acquired forward Tyler Toffoli from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forward Tyler Pitlick, forward Emil Heineman, a 2022 first-round pick, and a 2023 fifth-round pick. It’s a big haul for the Canadiens but perhaps more interesting is the ripple effect the deal might have on other trades that could be coming prior to this year’s NHL trade deadline.

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Speculation is that teams are now looking at Monday’s trade between the Habs and Flames and wondering if this price a team will have to pay to get someone like J.T. Miller out of Vancouver. Like Toffoli, the Canucks are not in a situation where they need to move the player, but the right price could pry him free. Calgary wanted Toffoli, they went after him and put a package together that convinced the Canadiens it was the right deal. Could a playoff franchise like the New York Rangers or Boston Bruins do the same for Miller?

Joe Haggerty of Boston Hockey Now points out, there are a number of similarities between Toffoli and Miller. While the journalist believes the ask for Miller might be slightly higher than what it was for Tofolli because of Miller’s production, the playoff experience Toffoli brings might event things out.

Haggerty writes:

“… are comparable veteran forwards that both have additional years on their contracts, so they would be considered comparable in many ways. The 28-year-old Miller might have the upper hand given that he’s got that one 27-goal, a 74-point campaign under his belt, and given the versatility that allows him to play both center and wing.”

Canucks Will Wait For Right Deal

Jim Rutherford spoke with Scott Burnside of Daily Faceoff and he was asked if the Canucks view themselves as either buyers or sellers this season and Rutherford hinted that it didn’t really matter when it came to trades potentially involving their bigger stars. He explained that none of the top names rumored to be moved out of Vancouver are pending unrestricted free agents. That means, whether they move them now or later, there is still value there.

Rutherford said:

Well, we’re in a position that we don’t have to feel any pressure this year because we don’t have top players where they’re going to be UFAs. So there’s no urgency here to make those kinds of decisions. Our decisions will be made step by step as to what we think is best for the franchise now and in the future.

That the Canucks aren’t in a hurry to trade Miller only suggests the asking price will be even higher. At a minimum, the Canucks will want as good or better a return than Montreal got for Toffoli.

Next: Giroux Informs Flyers He’ll Accept Trade to One of Three NHL Teams