Top Trades, Landing Spots for Flames Defenseman Chris Tanev amid NHL Rumors

The Calgary Flames shipping Nikita Zadorov to the Vancouver Canucks on Nov. 30 sparked trade speculation suggesting he might not be the only defenseman they move this season. With the Flames struggling to stay in the playoff race, they could end up trading away several pending unrestricted free agents.

Center Elias Lindholm and blueliner Noah Hanifin are the most noteworthy of those soon-to-be UFAs. However, Chris Tanev has drawn his share of attention in the media rumor mill, topping our January 2023 NHL Trade Block Big Board.

The 34-year-old Tanev has a well-deserved reputation as a skilled shutdown defenseman. He's among the Flames' leaders in time on ice per game (19:04) and leads them in short-handed ice time (2:45) and blocked shots (106). He's also a proven postseason performer whose style of play makes him an enticing trade target for a playoff contender.

Tanev carries an affordable $4.5 million salary-cap hit, though the high number of teams with limited cap space could narrow the field of clubs that can take on his contract. He also had a 10-team no-trade list.

Nevertheless, he remains among the players most likely to be moved by the March 8 trade deadline.

Here's a look at the five teams we believe would be the best destinations for Tanev and what he might fetch in return. Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts on this topic in our comments app below.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on Dec. 16 that the Colorado Avalanche trading Tomas Tatar to the Seattle Kraken had some teams worrying that they could be setting the stage for a bigger move. While Friedman subsequently speculated they could be looking at Calgary Flames center Elias Lindholm, perhaps they also have Tanev in their sights.

On Dec. 22, The Hockey News' Adam Proteau had Tanev on the top of his list of players most likely to be moved by the March 8 trade deadline. He included the Avalanche among the teams that could land the blueliner.

Proteau cited the Tatar trade opened some salary-cap space for the Avalanche. While acknowledging that they could put those freed-up cap dollars toward bolstering their forward lines, he believes adding a player with an edge could make their blue-line corps one of the league's best.

A right-side defenseman with a right-hand shot, Tanev could slot in alongside Samuel Girard on the Avs' blueline. He could also fill in for Josh Manson if the latter were sidelined by an injury.

The Avalanche have a projected $6.45 million in trade deadline cap space with Gabriel Landeskog, Artturi Lehkonen and Pavel Francouz on long-term injury reserve. The Flames could seek a young player such as Girard, a first-round pick or a prospect like Calum Ritchie or Mikhail Gulyayev.

On Dec. 6, ESPN's Kevin Weekes reported Tanev was generating lots of interest in the trade market. He included the Dallas Stars among the potential suitors.

Weekes cited Tanev's skills as a dependable, shot-blocking stay-at-home defenseman. Despite a recent injury history, he didn't think it would dampen the blueliner's value in the trade market.

On The Athletic's Dec. 23 Christmas wish list for NHL teams, Saad Yousuf wrote of the Stars' need for another right-handed defenseman. While the club is having a decent season, he noted its defense corps remains in flux, which could affect Dallas' hopes for a Stanley Cup run this season.

The Stars are pressed against the $83.5 million salary cap. They'll have to make a dollar-for-dollar swap with the Flames to acquire Tanev or make a separate cost-cutting move to free up the necessary cap space.

Defenseman Nils Lundkvist, 23, could be offered up as part of the return by the Stars, though his cap is just $925,000. The Flames could also ask for their 2024 first- or second-round pick or defense prospect Lian Bichsel.

During a Jan. 3 appearance on NHL Network, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the New Jersey Devils remain in the market for a goaltender. He also suggested they could seek a defenseman such as the Flames' Noah Hanifin.

On Dec. 23, the New York Post's Larry Brooks suggested the Devils shouldn't waste their time seeking help in a thin goalie market and instead should focus on upgrading their blue line. He thinks Hanifin seemed like a perfect target but also felt that Tanev would be on their list.

An experienced shutdown defenseman like Tanev could help the Devils reduce their high goals-against per game. He could skate alongside rookie puck-mover Luke Hughes on the second pairing or alongside Kevin Bahl on the third pairing.

While the Devils only have $2.6 million in projected trade deadline cap space, they can garner some wiggle room by placing sidelined Dougie Hamilton on long-term injury reserve. He's expected to be sidelined until the playoffs recovering from a torn pectoral muscle, which would free up $9 million to put toward adding a defenseman as well as a goalie.

The Flames could press for the Devils' 2024 first-round pick or one of their promising roster players. They won't part with promising Šimon Nemec, but perhaps winger Alexander Holtz might draw the Flames' interest.

With John Klingberg having undergone season-ending hip surgery, the Toronto Maple Leafs need a reliable and experienced top-four right-side defenseman. Trade rumors have linked them to Tanev.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on Dec. 2 that Leafs general manager Brad Treliving attempted to acquire Tanev and Nikita Zadorov from the Calgary Flames before the latter was shipped to the Canucks on Nov. 30. Treliving knows Tanev from his days as Flames GM, signing the blueliner to his current contract in Oct. 2020.

Friedman's colleague Vanessa Kezwer believes Tanev excels in the key areas where the Leafs need the most help. She cited his awareness and ability to think through the game at a higher level as traits that set him apart from other rearguards.

On Dec. 13, Pierre LeBrun speculated the Flames might be tempted if the Leafs were willing to part with their first-round pick. Two weeks later, his colleague Chris Johnston called Tanev a heart-and-soul blueliner who could help the Leafs upgrade their defense.

Johnston doesn't think the Leafs will part with a first-round pick in a deal exclusively around Tanev. He also observed that they lack a second-round pick in each of the next three drafts. He believes Treliving will have to get creative to make it work.

Entering the new year, the Vancouver Canucks are jostling with the Winnipeg Jets, New York Rangers, Colorado Avalanche and Boston Bruins for first place in the overall standings. They could become buyers by the March 8 trade deadline to bolster their roster for a deep playoff run.

Depth on the right side of the Canucks' blue line has been an issue for some time. Perhaps they'll consider bringing back Tanev to address that need as a playoff rental. He spent 10 of his 14-season NHL career with the Canucks from 2010-11 to 2019-20, playing a key role in their last playoff run in 2020.

Bringing in Tanev would give the Canucks an opportunity to improve their defensive game. He could be reunited alongside former Flames teammate Nikita Zadorov on the second pairing or with Ian Cole on the third pairing.

Carson Soucy recently returned to the Canucks lineup. However, if he should struggle to regain his form or if another blueliner becomes sidelined, it would be worthwhile to have someone with Tanev's experience on the roster.

The Canucks could offer up a lower-cost defenseman such as Noah Juulsen or Mark Friedman to the Flames in a package deal. They could bundle either one with a second-round pick or a prospect.

Stats and standings via NHL.com with salary info via CapFriendly.