Chris Tanev Scouting Report: What the Toronto Maple Leafs Should Expect

The Toronto Maple Leafs could have done more to make significant moves in the free agency market.

The Toronto Maple Leafs most significant move was securing Chris Tanev's negotiating rights during the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, giving the Leafs' management less than 48 hours to finalize Tanev's signing before he became a free agent.

Ultimately, Tanev would sign a six-year, 27-million-dollar deal with Toronto with an annual cap hit of 4.5 million (via NHL.com).

Tanev is known as one of the best shutdown defensemen in the NHL.

He is tough as nails and will do everything to win. But despite this reputation Tanev has built, he is 34, turning 35 this year.

This deal will take him up to age 40, making it extremely risky considering what the Leafs just got from T.J. Brodie's contract, which ended up being one of the worst contracts in the NHL last season after completely falling off a cliff.

Despite being high-risk in the future, this acquisition should have a high floor for at least a year or two. Tanev is a known commodity, especially to Brad Treliving, who brought Tanev to Calgary before the 2020-2021 season.

Tanev has already spent 15 years in the NHL. You know what you will get with this guy.

So, let's talk about what we should expect from Tanev in a Maple Leafs uniform this season.