What the Chris Tanev Deal Means for NHL Teams Dangling Rental Defensemen

Ken Campbell says it's tough to get worked up about what the Calgary Flames got in return for Chris Tanev. What does it mean for the NHL defensemen trade market?

Chris Tanev of the Calgary Flames was one of the most coveted players available at the trade deadline. So, when the Flames dealt him to the Dallas Stars via the New Jersey Devils and received only a mid-level prospect, a second-round pick and a conditional third-rounder – with the Flames retaining 50 percent of Tanev’s cap hit - the Flames were panned for their efforts.

But that was obviously the best deal out there for a 34-year-old rental. If there had been a better one, Flames GM Craig Conroy would have made it. There might be a bigger discussion about how GMs are now approaching the trade deadline, but let’s examine what it means for the teams that are dangling rental defensemen leading up to the March 8 trade deadline.

Well, not much, it appears. The Flames were believed to be seeking a first-round pick for Tanev and didn’t even come close to getting that. If Philadelphia Flyers fans were dreaming of a boffo return for either/both Nick Seeler and Sean Walker, or if the Arizona Coyotes had big plans for the return they were going to get for Matt Dumba, they might want to temper those expectations.

That leaves Noah Hanifin. It will be interesting to see what the Flames get for him with the market they established with Tanev. The caveat is that if a team is able to sign Hanifin to an extension, that will drive the price up. If not, don’t be surprised if the Flames make what looks like another underwhelming deal.

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