Calgary Flames Owe Chris Tanev A Trade For A Shot At The Stanley Cup

Flames defenceman Tanev drawing plenty of interest as NHL trade deadline approaches

The guy embodies sacrifice. If there’s one player who should be untouchable based on every tangible and intangible quality NHL teams need in the locker-room, it’s Chris Tanev. But the Calgary Flames owe their rugged rearguard new life at the NHL trade deadline this season.

The way he plays, who knows how many he’s got left.

So as much as the Flames would love to keep Tanev around to mentor their young defencemen, lead by example and make life easier for their goaltenders in any situation, they need to trade the pending unrestricted free agent to a team that has a shot at going the distance.

Technically, Tanev only has a 10-team no-trade list. It shouldn’t matter.

Let’s rule out the notion of the 34-year-old going to another rebuilding team. He’ll have the opportunity to pick whichever squad he wants this summer when his four-year deal expires. Maybe the Calgary Flames can circle back and see if he’s willing to give it another go.

First, they need to do him this favour.

Reportedly, he was almost part of the Elias Lindholm package, which would have made it a real blockbuster as the Flames hauled in a first and conditional fourth-round pick, two prospects on defence, and talented winger Andrei Kuzmenko as a pretty sweet salary dump.

The Vancouver Canucks might circle back, too, seeking a reunion with the blueliner who bled orca blue for a decade before being wooed by the Flames. With so many teams eager to acquire Tanev’s services, he might price out of their range.

Depending on who you ask, a second-round pick and a prospect might get it done. Or, it could be another first-round pick targeted by Flames GM Craig Conroy. The pick might depend on the quality of the prospect or young roster player. The more suitors, the more value — and Tanev should have no shortage of suitors.

Not many right-handed defencemen are available.

Among the teams that fancy themselves contenders and in need of defensive depth are the Toronto Maple Leafs (managed by Brad Treliving, the GM who lured Tanev to Calgary), the Canucks, and the Dallas Stars.

As many as 10 teams have expressed interest, according to some reports. The Winnipeg Jets made a reactionary move after the Elias Lindholm trade to grab the next best available centre in former Flames star Sean Monahan. They could be another darkhorse team kicking tires on Tanev.

Whoever lands him gets a fearless leader who lays his body on the line every night. His presence is a stabilizing force for teammates young and old, and he makes every goaltender behind him stand another inch or two taller.

As incredible as it would be to keep him around, the Flames aren’t in a position to guarantee competitiveness in the next couple of seasons. It would be a disservice to Tanev to keep him around, so it’s time to cash in — for the best interest of both the player and the Flames.