The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired the rights to pending unrestricted free agent Chris Tanev from the Dallas Stars (Twitter link). The return is depth forward Max Ellis and a 2026 seventh-round pick, shares Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff (Twitter link). Toronto will have two days to negotiate with the prolific defensive-defenseman before he enters free agency on July 1st.
This trade reunites Tanev with his hometown of Toronto late into his career. Now 34, Tanev has pulled together a career to be proud of, totaling 190 points in 792 games, spending 10 years with the Vancouver Canucks, four years with the Calgary Flames, and then one brief playoff run with the Dallas Stars. His role has held steadfast through the changes of scenery – with Tanev among the most popular top-pair shutdown defenders in the league. He’s vindicated that reputation over the last five seasons, with plenty of teams reportedly in the market when Vancouver and Calgary traded him away.
It’s Toronto who will win the Tanev sweepstakes this time around, though they show up to the race a bit late in Tanev’s career. That might not stop them from giving him healthy term, though, with TSN’s Darren Dreger reporting that Tanev’s next deal could run for as long as five-to-eight years (Twitter link). That term would carry Tanev to, or beyond, 40 – though it could also help keep the deal’s cap hit down. The Leafs could use every dollar they can save, with $18.83MM in cap spcae to re-sign a daunting 15 pending free agents. That list includes players like Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi, as well as the rotation of backup goaltenders in Ilya Samsonov, Martin Jones, and Matt Murray.
While Toronto has the luxury of not needing to re-sign every player, they’re bound to commit more money than they’d like to the few they do bring back. It’s hard to think Tanev is in line for a team-friendly deal, even if he were to land substantial term with his hometown club. But with a deadline right around the corner, fans may not have to wait long for the mysteries of his deal to be revealed. When they are, Toronto will be locking up a stout, reliable defensive-defenseman who should compliment Morgan Rielly’s offensive style much better than his previous linemates.
Tanev’s representation did not speak with Toronto before the trade, per Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic (Twitter link).
I’m surprised by this as Chris Tanev & the Dallas Stars reportedly both wanted to stay in business together last I heard. Well, if the Toronto Maple Leafs get a deal made with Tanev that would be a big defensive addition they have been wanting.
3×8
Tanev playing until he’s 42
@pawtucket — At the rate he’s going, he might only get paid until age 42 (longer if a buyout scenario comes along later). I was hoping he’d stay in the Big D, myself.
So glad the stars punted on this one. Love Tanev, but not for more than 4 years.
Coming home to a team still in its window. If he signs it’s a win
Man, if I were Tanev, I’d just wait the two extra days and sign with a team that doesn’t have the single most toxic media presence in professional sports.
Will laugh if he just walks anyways. Would love him on Vancouver but not for the term he’s reportedly seeking. His physical style of play unfortunately just won’t hold up. It’s inevitable he starts to slow down within the next couple seasons.
Can’t wait to see this overpay with an NMC to boot for sure. Lol Leafs.
Sabres fan? Great tag as well..
Nah, actually a Flyers & Panthers fan. But I look at Leafs as reaching the last few yrs trying to fill out the roster around 4 guys making Big money & not getting it done with their additions. They could be a Cup favorite if they can move Marner this offseason & balance out the roster.
& Oh yeah based af lol
@based — Can’t you just see Treliving on a street corner chirping, “NMCs! Get your hot NMCs right here! Two for 1 sale today!”?
Leafs window with Berube is 2 maybe 3 years. If by 2026-27 the Leafs haven’t gotten to at least the Eastern Finals (led by Matthews and Nylander – sans Marner!) then they will need to blow it up. Matthews must be traded then and pretty much any key pieces must be moved as well ushering a major rebuild. Not sure if Berube would be interested in leading the great rebuild of 2027, but these next three seasons the Leafs must be all in at all costs! Then things must change for the future.
Yeah, wondering with that zadorov news and this if they’re planning to move Marner sooner than later after all. Would probably help the cause… but might still miss the prize.
Hope he makes it to market, unless he’s looking for a four year deal. Let them lock him up to that if thats the case.
Hey Treliving, I hear Jeff Finger is available.
A 2nd round pick for a 20 game rental, then flip him for a 7th round pick and a 24 year old AHL skater who averages only .4 points a game, come on Jim………….