Trade Analysis: The Calgary Flames acquire Tyler Toffoli from the Montreal Canadiens

We've got a trade to announce! Just over one month out from the deadline, the Calgary Flames went out and acquired Tyler Toffoli from the Montreal Canadiens, sending them a package of assets that includes a first-round draft pick this year, a fifth-rounder in 2024, a prospect (Emil Heineman) and Tyler Pitlick. 

This marks the first domino of many to fall between now and March 21, and there's a lot to unpack here. On the surface, it's a transaction that certainly makes quite a bit of sense for both teams given their respective trajectories, and what they're looking to accomplish this season.

It's obvious that Montreal is simply looking to stockpile as much draft capital as they can to salvage something from the miserable year they're having. This now gives them 12 picks for this coming draft (which is currently scheduled to take place at home in front of their fans), and that number should only grow even further by the time they're done shipping players out.

Calgary is justified in going for it this year, but their motivations for making this particular move are a bit more nuanced. So let's take a closer look at the timing of the deal, why they went after Toffoli, and what they can expect to get from him moving forward.