Maple Leafs getting pushed out of possible trade for huge boost on blue line

A lot has been going on in past weeks on the trade front in Calgary and when the Flames moved forward Elias Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks, there was almost an expectation that defenseman Chris Tanev could be the next player to move.

According to Pierre LeBrun, Tanev is the most coveted defenseman on the market ahead of the March 8 trade deadline and his return price tag will be hefty. So much so that he believes the Toronto Maple Leafs, who were once the front-runners in the blue liner’s sweepstakes, may not be able to acquire him after all. This is what LeBrun had to say about Tanev and the Maple Leafs on last night’s edition of Insider Trading on TSN:

“Some teams that I’ve spoken to over the last few days feel Tanev is having the same impact on the “D” rental market, that there are other guys of interest, but they are waiting to see what happens with Tanev first in terms of when he goes. … Now, as I mentioned last week, the price right now from Calgary – our understanding is – a second-round pick, plus another asset, which could be okay for some teams. But a team like the Toronto Maple Leafs, which continues to have interest in Chris Tanev, doesn’t have a second-round pick for the next three years. So, it’s been made fairly clear to [the Maple Leafs] from Calgary, I believe, that the price is a first-round pick if they want Chris Tanev. I’m not sure whether or not Brad Treliving of the Leafs is [willing] to pay that or not.”

The Maple Leafs aren’t the only ones interested in Tanev, who has also been linked to the Canucks and the Ottawa Senators. If Tanev is seeking a shot at the Stanley Cup, he might stay away from the Senators thanks to his 10-team no trade list.

Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving, who has been a huge fan of Tanev since his tenure at the helm of the Flames, could be tempted to still make a push for the defenseman. However, the asking price from the Flames might simply push Toronto out of the possibility of adding the shut-down defenseman to their roster.

Recommended articles:

• Latest Stanley Cup odds will make Canadian fans smile
• Pierre Engvall gets revenge against Maple Leafs
• Furious Sheldon Keefe backs a zamboni over his players
• Maple Leafs lose top penalty killer
• Tyler Bertuzzi barely recognizable at Leafs practice