Chris Tanev speaks out following last night's trade

UPDATE: Sportsnet's Eric Francis caught up with Chris Tanev to get his thoughts and feelings post last night's trade.

Check it out:

Just got off the phone with Chris Tanev who said it's been an emotional 24 hours, as he loved his time in Calgary.

He took me through the process that led to his trade to Dallas, which he is excited about.

“We had brief talks in training camp and then basically a couple weeks ago I sat down with Connie and said, ‘I want to try to win – this could be my best chance to do it. He was super understanding and would only trade me to a team where they had the potential to win, and I appreciate that.

“As hard as it was, I felt it was the best opportunity to win a Stanley Cup, which has been my ultimate goal my whole career.”

He'll remain in Calgary a few more days while trying to secure his visa and said that while he's excited to throw himself into the Stars experience he will remain open-minded if he becomes a UFA in the summer, and wouldn't dismiss the possibility of re-signing in Calgary.

- Eric Francis

Read below for our earlier report on Tanev, published this morning.

In case you missed it last night, the Dallas Stars acquired veteran defenseman Chris Tanev from the Calgary Flames in exchange for a 2nd round pick, a 3rd round pikc and prospect Artem Grushnikov.

There had been trade rumors circling Tanev and the Flames for weeks now, so no one was surprised when he was dealt but the price paid and the destination was a bit puzzling to some hockey fans. Insiders have led fans to believe that the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Vancouver Canucks were hot after Tanev and that the veteran Dman was likely to fetch a 1st round pick via trade. In the end though, Dallas swoops in and acquires Tanev at a very affordable price. So... what gives?

What happened here?

Well, ESPN NHL insider Kevin Weekes reported last night that the Leafs were in fact in on Tanev, as they were on former Flames defenseman Nikita Zadorov, but that Flames GM Craig Conroy had to be 'blown away' to consider trading either player to Toronto.

From Weekes:

Interesting... 

Does this mean that Conroy is trying to extract more from Leafs GM Brad Treliving because of their previous association? Or did he really just receive the best off from Dallas?

Read below for our earlier report on the Tanev trade, published yesterday evening.

Earlier tonight, the Calgary Flames traded defenseman Chris Tanev to the Dallas Stars. In return, the Flames got a 2nd round pick, prospect defenseman Artem Grushnikov and an additional 3rd-round conditional pick in exchange for the blue liner.

It was also noted that Calgary is retaining half of Tanev’s salary cap.

However, this just in for insider Frank Seravalli, the New Jersey Devils are getting involved in this transaction. The Devils are retaining money on Tanev to help process the deal:

“NJD reserve list guy Cole Brady is part of the deal. They’re getting back a 4th round pick.”

This is the full trade details, involving the three teams: 

To DALLAS: Chris Tanev (75% retained), Cole Brady
To CALGARY: 2024 2nd Rd Pick, Artem Grushnikov, Conditional 2026 3rd Rd Pick, (50% of Tanev $)
TO NEW JERSEY: DAL 2026 4th Rd Pick (25% of Tanev $)

Tanev is the third pending unrestricted free agent getting traded out of Calgary this season. Nikita Zadorov and Elias Lindholm were previously moved to the Vancouver Canucks in separate deals. Tanev is in the final year of a four-year, $18 million deal he signed with the Flames in 2020, with a $4.5 million cap hit.

Through 56 games for the Flames this season, Tanev has put up one goal and 13 assists for 14 points. He was one of the most coveted trade bait on the board ahead of the March 8 trade deadline. In 14 NHL seasons with the Flames and Vancouver Canucks, Tanev has 32 goals and 153 assists for 185 points through 773 career games.

When asked about the addition of Tanev to his roster, Stars GM Jim Nill said to David Pagnotta: 

“We are fortunate to have the opportunity to add a player of Chris’ caliber to our team. He is a proven defenseman with postseason experience that is comfortable in all situations on the ice. Chris is one of the best penalty killers in the NHL and will be a tremendous asset to our special teams play.”

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