What I figure happened is Vancouver's slumlord ownership told Benning if this slide they're on continues and they miss the playoffs, he's done. He' fine to throw Madden into a deal because maybe they've heard he won't be signing with them anyway--he doesn't have to and can choose to be a free agent.
Even without that the picks are still an overpay because they don't have the cap room to sign Toffoli next year. I think he saw that Ferland's done (sadly--still have positive memories of him living rent free in Bieksa's head) and Boeser may be done for the rest of the regular season.
If we want Toffoli we can go after him after the season, but I'd rather take Markstrom off them--gives us what we need, and ensures they return to the mediocrity that is their norm.
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