By Pierre LeBrun, Chris Johnston, Saad Yousuf and Julian McKenzie
The Calgary Flames traded veteran defenseman Chris Tanev to the Dallas Stars for a 2024 second-round pick, a conditional 2026 third-round pick and prospect Artem Grushnikov, the teams announced. The Flames will keep 50 percent of Tanev's cap hit and salary. Calgary will only receive Dallas' 2026 third-round pick if the Stars reach the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. If this does not happen, no conditional pick will be transferred.
The Stars also sent their 2026 fourth-round pick to the New Jersey Devils. The Devils retained 50 percent of Tanev's salary for the 2023-24 season.
Tanev has been in high demand as an effective shutdown defender and is the No. 2 player on The Athletic's latest trade board.
Stars general manager Jim Nill has made some smart deals over the years, but this one has the potential to be at the top of the list. It was hard for anyone in the NHL to see that the Stars' blue line situation was dire, especially with recent injuries to Jani Hakanpää and Nils Lundkvist. That should have given teams leverage and tried to get one of the Stars' top three prospects in Logan Stankoven (recently promoted to the NHL), Mavrik Bourque and Lian Bichsel.
The Stars have noted that none of these three prospects have been on the table in trade talks, particularly for a rental. For Nill, getting one of the best right-backs on the market without giving up a top prospect or first-round pick is an immediate win. Receiving 50 percent salary retention considering how tight the Stars are against the cap makes it even more palatable for Dallas as they can retain their existing blueline group for additional depth.
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The Flames will miss Tanev in this trade. At 34, Tanev proved to be a reliable defensive player and allowed Noah Hanifin to showcase his offensive talents. His calm, yet humorous demeanor in the Flames' locker room endeared him to many teammates. With his UFA status in limbo and a realignment imminent, Tanev had to be released before last week's deadline. One could argue that Tanev's return could have been different if the Flames had waited longer. But what if he got hurt?
Tanev's style of play likely played a role in why this trade happened now and not next week. Tanev has no problem sacrificing his body for the good of the team and will play through anything. While the risk of injury exists for every player – and Tanev has proven to be extremely durable during his tenure with the Flames – Tanev's style of play has been more of a concern than most.
Tanev's addition immediately gives the Stars options for combinations in the lineup. They can opt to pair Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Harley at the top, a pairing that has been incredibly productive for the Stars. You could also consider pairing one of these natural lefties with Tanev and the other with another player to form a second pairing. Dallas coach Pete DeBoer will have options to explore before the postseason.
Since there was no GM to deal a first-round pick for Tanev, this seemed like the best move Flames GM Craig Conroy could make. The Flames receive a second-round pick in this year's draft, giving the Flames four picks between the first two rounds. The Flames also get a conditional third seed in 2026, but only if the Stars reach the Stanley Cup Finals this year, and a project candidate in 20-year-old Grushnikov.
What's also fascinating is that the Flames are keeping Tanev's salary, something that this franchise doesn't typically do through trades in its history. But the Flames might have felt more comfortable having an expiring contract rather than one with longer terms.
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On the surface, it's a modest return considering expectations. Unless Grushnikov shines at the AHL level and excels over the next few years, the price of this deal is the 2024 second-rounder.
Tanev signed with the Vancouver Canucks as a free agent in May 2010 and spent ten seasons with the Canucks before signing a four-year, $18 million contract with the Flames in 2020.
Tanev scored 14 points with the Flames this season. He recorded one goal and 13 assists in 56 games in 2023-24.
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(Photo: Sergei Belski / USA Today)