Remember that trade the Calgary Flames “lost” in the offseason when they traded their 2022–23 leading scorer Tyler Toffoli to the New Jersey Devils for Yegor Sharangovich and a draft pick? Well, don’t look now, but since November 1, Sharangovich has been outscoring Toffoli.
The Tyler Toffoli trade
At the time, this did seem like a bit of a mismatch. Toffoli was coming off a brilliant 34-goal, 73-point season in which he led the Flames in both categories. On the flip side, Sharangovich had lost favour with the Devils coaching staff and was healthy scratched in the playoffs. He did have one 24-goal season under his belt in 2021–22, but that came alongside Jack Hughes and it wasn’t clear if that was the norm for Sharangovich or just an anomaly.
Unfortunately for the Flames, Toffoli wanted a long-term extension which the Flames were simply unwilling to offer him. So, Craig Conroy made his first big move as the new GM of the Flames and shipped him off to the Devils.
Toffoli vs. Sharangovich in October
In October, Toffoli came out roaring with a hot start.
| October Scoring | GP | G | A | P | ATOI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler Toffoli | 8 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 17:01 |
| Yegor Sharangovich | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 13:01 |
With seven goals in his first eight games, including a hat-trick in game five, the chemistry with Toffoli in the Devils’ top-six was undeniable. At over 17 minutes of ice time per game, Toffoli was clearly one of the top forwards in New Jersey, spending a ton of time on their top power play unit as well.
In Calgary, Sharangovich struggled to find his spot in the roster, bouncing around between all four forward lines and managing just a single goal in his first nine games. The skill was there, but it wasn’t on display as the fit took a while to establish. He averaged only 13 minutes of ice time per game, was not one of the Flames’ top forwards, and was not relied on by the coach in key situations.
Toffoli vs. Sharangovich since November 1
In November, Sharangovich became clearly more comfortable with the Flames and took off.
| Scoring since November 1 | GP | G | A | P | ATOI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler Toffoli | 18 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 18:24 |
| Yegor Sharangovich | 19 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 16:20 |
In 18 games since November 1st, Toffoli has scored just five goals and 11 points, a huge drop-off from his initially hot start in New Jersey. His ice time has risen over this period to just under 18-and-a-half minutes per game, but the production has not increased.
In Calgary, Sharangovich has seen his ice time increase by over three full minutes over this timeframe and has scored six goals and 12 points in 19 games.
The trade is paying dividends
The decision to trade your leading scorer and only get a reclamation project winger and a third-round pick seems rough when you put it in those terms.
However, when you consider that Toffoli wanted a long-term contract and when he didn’t get one requested a trade, he currently is not signed by the Devils and remains a pending UFA, and Sharangovich is a full six years younger than Toffoli, it starts to make a lot more sense.
Add in the fact that Sharangovich is finding his groove with the Flames and is really starting to become an impact player on a nightly basis, you’ve got yourself a very solid return for an expiring asset.
Chalk this one up as a win for Conroy.
