Tanev is coming off the conclusion of a four-year, $18 million contract he signed with Treliving and the Calgary Flames in October 2020.

As the Toronto Maple Leafs continue their quest to build a stronger defensive presence, pending unrestricted free agent Chris Tanev has emerged as a prime target. 

On Sportsnet 590 The Fan Thursday, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman mentioned that Tanev is an appealing addition for general manager Brad Treliving, given their history from their days in Calgary. 

“They really like Tanev,” Friedman said. “And so, if they are really going to do something, for someone that they might not be willing to do for someone else, it’s possible for me that Tanev is the guy. We’ll see how it all plays out.”

At 34 years old, what Friedman is referring to is the term, or the length of contract. It’s well-known that the Leafs have become hesitant about handing out long-term deals to aging players. Examples are Max Domi (29) and Tyler Bertuzzi (29).

However, given their desire to bolster the backend, and the caliber of player Tanev is, there could be an exception for the Toronto native.

“Knowing Treliving, I think that Tanev is the guy he likes the most. He likes his game, he likes him personally, and he knows him. Yes there is always an injury factor there, a risk factor there, and I think the Leafs are trying to be very careful with term. They have been careful with it on Bertuzzi, they’ve been careful with it on Domi, but they really want to address their blueline.”

Besides, it’s no secret the interest Treliving has for Tanev considering he attempted to trade for the right-handed defenseman in a package including Nikita Zadorov throughout the season. As we know, the deal failed to make it over the finish line due to the tall asking price, but now that neither player has ties to the Flames, he could circle back on it.

“The GM in Toronto knows Tanev and Zadorov. He tried to get them last year, he tried to get them together, he couldn’t make a deal. It was going to be a big price to get the two of those together and it just didn’t work out between them and the Flames.”

Tanev is coming off the conclusion of a four-year, $18 million contract he signed with Treliving and the Calgary Flames in October 2020. AFP Analytics is projecting a three-year, $13.44 million contract with an average annual value of $4.48 million a season for Tanev’s next deal. He exhibits a strong defensive prowess with elite shot-blocking abilities. Though he may be turning 35 in December, he carried the workload for the Flames before he was moved to Dallas, where he then took on first penalty kill unit duties. 

In the 2023-24 regular season, the 14-year veteran had two goals and 17 assists split between his time with the Flames and Stars adding two assists in 19 postseason appearances in Dallas. Despite his age, Tanev would be a strong fit for a Treliving-led Maple Leafs team that is not only tremendously impactful, but he plays with intensity in the defensive zone. It would be the least bit surprising if Treliving worked at bringing a reunion to fruition, as it won’t be a door the Leafs are expected to close anytime soon.

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