#2 Chris Tanev – Calgary Flames
Chris Tanev is another pending UFA that the Calgary Flames will want to trade or sign before the NHL trade deadline.
Toronto Maple Leafs GM, Brad Treliving, knows Tanev well from his time as GM in Calgary, and he knows what he can bring to the table.
Tanev is a top notch veteran defensive defenseman who swallows up a lot of ice-time. Unlike a lot of so-called defensive defenseman, Tanev does a lot more than throw big hits while getting hemmed in his own zone. He has statistically been an elite defender for years, and the only thing stopping him from being an elite overall player has been the total lack of offense in his game.
An excellent top-pairing addition, the only risk/drawback is his age.
His $4.5 million cap hit is something that should be manageable for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Chris Tanev does have a 10 team no trade clause, but I’m sure he’d love to play in front of his family and friends in Toronto, the city where he was born.
There are more rumours about Tanev joining the Leafs than any other player right now.
It makes sense since Tanev is exactly the type of player the Toronto Maple Leafs need, and he could be a perfect fit.