With all the talk surrounding the summer blockbuster that landed Huberdeau and Weegar, and sent Matthew Tkachuk to the Panthers, the nonstop chatter can certainly be exhausting for the players. So, it's good - in a way - to get these games over with early, embrace the delirium and officially turn the page with your club.
"I was definitely nervous," laughed Toffoli, whose return to Los Angeles was delayed due to the pandemic.
He was initially slated to play the Kings on March 12, 2020, as a member of the Vancouver Canucks… but we all remember what happened then. Instead, it was more than a year later when landed back in Hollywood - now with the Montreal Canadiens - before he could finally put that chapter of his life to bed.
"Jonny and Weegs, very similar situations in the sense of growing as a player and a person in one city, and then going back," Toffoli said. "For me, going back to LA, it was a lot of fun playing against the guys that helped me grow as a player - and, definitely, winning with a lot of them, too - was a good experience and I'm sure it was the same for those two guys.
"I'm sure Chucky will have those feelings tonight, too."
Indeed, the hoopla surrounding tonight's clash between the Flames and Panthers is more than your typical Tuesday nighter between east-west foes.
Toffoli now occupies Tkachuk's old post on the top line, with the lone holdover, Elias Lindholm, at centre and Huberdeau on the opposite flank. With seven goals and 14 points on the year, it's clear he's adjusted well to the increase in responsibility. As a unit, they've had their "ups and downs," as Toffoli puts it, but have really started click as the chemistry builds between them.
"We've really found our way," Toffoli explained. "On the road trip, we were put together a few times and every time, we had some really good opportunities. Hopefully we can keep building on that."
Tkachuk, meanwhile, was a beloved member of the Flames organization since he was drafted in 2016. He'll be honoured with a video tribute and will almost assuredly receive a boisterous cheer from the Saddledome faithful.
But you can also bet those cheers will turn to boos almost immediately after. Just like the player, the fans, too, will use this opportunity to turn the page.
For good.
"He was an amazing player here," said Toffoli, who only played with Tkachuk for a half-season, but quickly became aware of his unique place in this league. "From what I heard, he did a lot in the community and really enjoyed it his time here. I'm sure he's excited to be back.
"It should be a good game tonight."
