Calgary Flames Extend Or Sell: Tyler Toffoli
By Nathan Smith
The Calgary Flames are in a tricky predicament as a franchise right now, as they handed out not one, not two but three long-term deals last season, and now, they’ve got plenty more decisions to make in building this team into a winning team. The organization face difficult decisions on seven big names that will become free agents next off-season, and with asset management not being a major strength of this franchise, they need to do what they can to improve the future of this team, meaning some of those decisions will come to a head this off-season.
Along with Elias Lindholm, the Flames have a big decision to make on top goal scorer Tyler Toffoli, who had a career year in 2022 under Darryl Sutter, racking up 34 goals and 39 assists for 73 points on the season playing alongside Lindholm and a whole host of wingers. Now, the team have to decide if they would like to hand him an extension at 31-years of age, and while it could no doubt be tempting for a team that is reportedly having to put a contender out each year at the behest of its owner, his value as a trade chip is never going to be higher.
After three long-term deals that will see those players in Calgary well into their 30’s, it makes no sense to go for a fourth, especially if Toffoli is seeking a deal of five or more seasons, and with teams like Toronto, New York, New Jersey, Carolina and so many others needing top line scoring, this is the time for the Flames to capitalize and get a major futures haul in return, like many believe the team should have done with Matthew Tkachuk.
On the other hand, they could be looking to re-tool and get young, with Martin Necas, William Nylander and Travis Konecny potential assets for Calgary to get in return, but either way, it appears that moving on from Toffoli, who the team acquired at the trade deadline of the 2021-22 season would be the best option.
Verdict: Despite how good he could be for the Flames going forward, especially after a great year in 2022-23, Calgary need to capitalize on Tyler Toffoli’s trade value, and whether that’s landing a younger winger/center or getting some major future assets in return, they need to strike while the iron’s hot and start gauging his trade market immediately.