The worst is avoided for Chris Tanev!

Calgary Flames defenseman Chris Tanev missed Tuesday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights after making an early exit during Monday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche early in the first period. Tanev took a big hit from Avalanche forward Ross Colton and was down and in discomfort. He however got up quickly and made his way down the tunnel, logging just 0:15 seconds of ice time.

The blue liner, who is currently on of Calgary’s top trade baits, has had a history of injuries throughout his career and this could have been quite a predicament for the Flames moving on, closer to the trade deadline. However on Tuesday in the latest edition of Insider Trading on TSN, Pierre LeBrun had some good news on Tanev, and consequently, general manager Craig Conroy:

“From one injury to another and the Flames avoiding the worst with Chris Tanev . Day-to-day only after that injury on Monday night. And it’s a reminder, though, of the position that a team like the Flames are in with Chris Tanev , who’s a pending unrestricted free agent and someone they are very likely going to trade before the March 8 trade deadline. It’s the risk of injury, especially for a player like Tanev. What you love about the guy is also what worries you is that he goes through a wall for his teammates. He’s a shot-blocker - and so this is his style of play. But the Flames have told teams they’re not ready to deal him yet, that they want to be patient and, obviously, what they’re doing is letting the market play out. If the price right now is a second-round pick for Tanev, maybe there’s hope that as teams continue the lineup for him - and there is sizable interest - that maybe they can get a first, which is what the Montreal Canadiens got for rental defence from Ben Chiarot two years ago from the Florida Panthers.”

Tanev signed four-year $18 million contract that holds an average annual value (AAV) of $4.5 million in October 2020 and is currently playing its last year. He will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and has become one of the Flames players involved in a lot of trade speculation to start the season. You can imagine how a significant injury would have derailed Conroy’s plans…

In recent weeks, Tanev has been linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs though GM Conroy had mentioned he was in no hurry to move his blue liner. Now that’s a good thing seeing the Tanev needs a bit of time to feel better.

The 33-year-old defenseman came into Monday’s contest with one goal and six assists in 27 games.

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