Toffoli reunion injects more energy into Flames lineup

The newest member of the Calgary Flames didn’t feel much like he’d been traded to a new team. His whirlwind day ended with familiarity.

Good friend Milan Lucic picked Tyler Toffoli up. The Flames veteran also provided room and boarding.

“It was nice. I kind of figured that he’d want to pick me up. He had some dinner waiting for me when I got back to the house, and we went right to bed,” Toffoli said Tuesday, about 24 hours after the trade was completed between the Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames.

“Coming into the room, it didn’t feel like a new team that much. But at the same time, I was definitely nervous to get into the locker-room and get on the ice.”

On the ice, Toffoli reunited with another former teammate. He skated with former Ottawa 67s linemate (and roommate) Sean Monahan, and Dillon Dube, on Tuesday in preparation for a clash with the Columbus Blue Jackets Tuesday night.

“He was a little bit older than me and someone I looked up to when I was playing junior with him. He’s a great player. Really, really happy to have him here now,” Monahan said after the deal was announced on Monday.

“Toff is really smart. I think he goes to the right areas, and he knows how to score. He scores a lot, and he scores big goals. He’s a smart player, easy to play with. Just a great player.”

A pretty great guy, too, by all accounts.

Toffoli ready to get down to business with Flames

Lucic had no clue when the two were hanging out together during the all-star break that they would be teammates again this season. He quickly posted a shot of them on the Cars ride in Disneyland as a bit of a social media welcome teaser.

“Good friend of mine. It’s nice when you know the guy coming in. I was actually with him last weekend in the all-star break; I had no idea I was going to see him this soon,” Lucic said Monday.

“Great guy, great person, likes to have fun, always smiling. Likes to be a part of the group. He’ll just fit right in.”

That was evident from his words after Tuesday’s morning skate. Toffoli is ready to get down to business.

“I’m really excited to be in the lineup and playing meaningful hockey again. That’s the best type of hockey to be playing,” Toffoli said. “I’m here to work and I’m here to win.”