Written by Pierre Leblanc, Chris Johnston, Saad Yusuf, Julian McKenzie
The Calgary Flames have traded veteran defenseman Chris Tanev to the Dallas Stars for a 2024 second-round pick, a conditional 2026 third-round pick, and prospect Artem Grushnikov. The team announced that. The Flames will retain 50 percent of Tanev’s cap hit and salary. Calgary can only receive Dallas’ 2026 third-round pick if the Stars reach the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. Otherwise, conditional picks will not be transferred.
The Stars also sent a 2026 fourth-round pick to the New Jersey Devils. The Devils retained 50% of Tanev’s salary for 2023-24.
Tanev was in high demand as an effective shutdown defender and was the No. 2 player in games. The AthleticLatest trading board.
Stars general manager Jim Nill has made some shrewd contracts over the years, but this one has the potential to be right at the top of the list. It wasn’t hard for NHL insiders to understand the Stars’ dire situation on the blue line, especially exposed with recent injuries to Jani Hakanpää and Nils Lundqvist. This could have allowed the team to try to leverage one of the Stars’ top three prospects in Logan Stankoven (recently promoted to the NHL), Mavrik Bourke, and Rhian Bixel.
The Stars were adamant that none of these three prospects are on the trade table, especially when it comes to rentals. For Nill, acquiring one of the top right-shot defensemen on the market without giving up a top prospect or a first-round pick is an instant win. Depending on how tight the Stars are against the cap, getting 50 percent salary retention would be even more advantageous for Dallas, who could retain their existing blue line group for additional depth.
The Flames will be without Tanev in this trade. Tanev, 34, has proven to be a reliable defenseman while allowing Noah Hanifin to play off his offensive talents. His quiet yet humorous personality in the Flames’ locker room endeared him to many of his teammates. With his pending UFA status up in the air and a readjustment on the horizon, Tanev had to be addressed before last week’s deadline. If the Flames had waited longer, an argument could be made that Tanev’s return might have been different. But what if he gets hurt?
Tanev’s style of play likely played a role in why this trade was made now instead of next week. Tanev has no problem sacrificing his body for the team and is willing to do whatever it takes. Injury risks exist for any player, and while Tanev has proven to be mostly durable during his time with the Flames, Tanev’s style of play has been more of a concern than most.
The addition of Tanev immediately gives the Stars a combination of options in their lineup. They could choose to have Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Hurley up top, and this combination was incredibly productive for the Stars. They could also consider pairing one of these natural left-handers with Tanev and the other with another player to strengthen the second pairing. Dallas coach Pete DeBoer will have options to consider heading into the postseason.
This appeared to be Flames GM Craig Conroy’s best bet, as no GM would have given Tanev a first-round pick. The Flames have a second round pick in this year’s draft, giving the Flames four picks between the first two rounds. The Flames would also receive a conditional No. 3 pick in 2026, but only if the Stars reach this year’s Stanley Cup Final and the 20-year-old Grushnikov becomes a project prospect.
Also interesting is that the Flames are retaining Tanev’s salary, something that doesn’t usually happen in this franchise’s history through trades. However, the Flames may have been more comfortable doing so with an expiring contract than with one with expiration left.
On the surface, it’s a modest return considering what was expected. Unless Grushnikov excels at the AHL level and emerges within the next few years, the prize in this deal will be a 2024 second-rounder.
Tanev signed with the Vancouver Canucks as a free agent in May 2010 and spent 10 seasons with the Canucks before signing a four-year, $18 million contract with the Flames in 2020.
Tanev scored 14 points for the Flames this season. He played in 56 games in the 2023-24 season, recording one goal and 13 assists.
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(Photo: Sergei Belski / USA Today)
