Dallas Stars players and coaches are excited to have Chris Tanev, but may have to wait a few days before he's on the ice.

Matt Duchene was putting his kids to bed Wednesday night when the news broke that the Dallas Stars had acquired defenseman Chris Tanev in a three-way trade with the Calgary Flames and New Jersey Devils.

"I put my phone down for a little bit just to get the kids ready for bed, then my wife was all over me because she couldn't get me off my phone to get them moving," Duchene told reporters during Thursday's morning skate. "My buddies group chat started to blow up. Really exciting move. (Tanev) is a guy we've been talking about in here for a long time. Just knowing he might be available, knowing his game, we play (Calgary) three times a year... he's an elite defenseman and a guy who can definitely help us. I can definitely say we're excited about it."

The Stars needed some positive excitement during a brutal February schedule, multiple injuries and tough losses. It was hoped Tanev could be available by Saturday's home game against the San Jose Sharks. However, Stars general manager Jim Nill believes it may be early next week before the 34-year-old defenseman will make his debut on the back end of a home-and-home against the Sharks.

"I think he may join us on the road Monday," Nill said during a Thursday morning press conference. "It's immigration. He's got to get his U.S. visa, and that's a process. (We're) hopeful Saturday, but probably he'll join us on the road."

For Tanev, the journey to get to this point was a long, winding road, with lots of waiting. He was eating out with his wife and son when he got the news. He's happy with the outcome, and excited to join the Stars and get better acquainted with his new teammates.

"It was very different for me because it's never really happened to me in my 14 years (in the NHL," Tanev told reporters over a Zoom call Thursday afternoon. "(It was) really weird for me the last few months, I think. But the last little bit, I feel like I just got adjusted to it and was just having fun playing hockey and enjoying being around the guys."

When Tanev does put on a Stars uniform, he'll be wearing No. 3 instead of his traditional No. 8. Bbill Goldsworthy, who played for the Minnesota North Stars, had his No. 8 retired in February 1992.

Through 56 games with the Flames this season, Tanev has registered 14 points (1-13-14). He ranks second overall in the NHL with 171 blocked shots and was fourth on the team in plus-minus with a +16. He's fifth in average TOI per game (19:50).

As well-documented as his defensive play is, Stars coach Pete DeBoer is just as excited about Tanev's other skills.

"He's got better puck skills and skating than people give him credit for," DeBoer told the media during morning skate. "He can skate and move the puck under pressure. He's also a big, physical, hard guy to play against. That gives you lots of options."

Speaking of options, that goes for pairings on the blueline as well, although DeBoer wasn't ready to speculate on whom Tanev might be paired with initially.

"I've seen him in Vancouver and Calgary, so I think I've got a good idea what his game looks like," DeBoer said. "We're gonna try and put him in the best position to make that transition as seamless as we can."

When asked if Miro Heiskanen could switch from playing the right side to left, his natural position, DeBoer hinted Heiskanen could alternate between the two.

"We've tried him on both," DeBoer said. "I think both are in play. Miro's one of those guys no matter where you put him, he's gonna be good. Could he be marginally better on his strong side? Maybe. But is our team better with him on the other side? Those are things that factor into that."

No matter what combination DeBoer decides to use, Tanev is willing to fit in whereever needed.

"I talked to Pete (Wednesday) night, just welcomed me, got to know him a little bit," Tanev said. "We didn't really talk about the hockey stuff much, just trying to get adjusted and figure out when I'd be in town and when I'd be available. As far as role goes, I feel like anyone who knows me knows I'm a team guy and willing to do whatever is best for the team."

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