The Boston Bruins have missed out on another of their rumored trade targets with Tyler Toffoli headed to the Vancouver Canucks.
Given the cost of this deal didn’t end up nearly as steep as either the Jason Zucker or Blake Coleman transactions, it’s a missed opportunity for Boston Bruins General Manager, Don Sweeney to make a splash.
The Vancouver Canucks gave up four key assets in the trade; one-time Boston Bruins forward Tim Schaller, prospect Tyler Madden, their 2020 second-round pick and a 2022 fourth-round pick conditional upon Toffoli renewing with them this summer.
Given Blake Coleman cost the Tampa Bay Lightning an equivalent prospect in Nolan Foote and the Vancouver Canucks’ 2020 first-round pick; you could easily argue that Toffoli offers better value.
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Looking at this trade, an equivalent deal from the Bruins would’ve seen someone like Chris Wagner or Joakim Nordstrom slotted in place of Tim Schaller and obviously the Boston Bruins’ second-round pick.
Where it becomes stickier is the cost prospect-wise; realistically you could make a strong argument that John Beecher is the equivalent value, despite his low freshman numbers at the University of Michigan.
Tyler Madden is a year older and producing at a way better rate and indeed did better in his freshman year at Northeastern. By that measure Curtis Hall is a better equivalent, though with potentially less upside long-term.
It’s always hard to judge what the equivalent option would be, especially as our prospect pool is obviously quite a lot different in it’s make-up to that of the Canucks.
As a Boston Bruins fan, there is obviously a sense of disappointment to not acquiring Tyler Toffoli; he has size and skill and would’ve likely been a strong fit on the wing of David Krejci.
However, the team haven’t opted to give up serious assets for a rental and that is to be respected as decent business.
The Vancouver Canucks haven’t quite over-paid, especially if Toffoli gets the job done and guides them to the play-offs. With the injuries among their top-six, it’s a risky play without that guaranteed post-season spot, but fortune tends to favour the brave.
As for Boston, it’s time to focus on the next name that we set our sights on this trade deadline; whether that continues to be Chris Kreider or moves on to Josh Anderson; your guess is as good as mine. Trust that the right moves will happen.