The Dallas Stars acquired defenseman Chris Tanev at the NHL Trade Deadline to improve their defense. Dallas already had a stingy defense that many teams struggled to beat. Adding one of the best shutdown defensemen in the league certainly made them better. But Tanev may have surpassed what was expected of him after the trade.
The veteran blueliner was an integral part of this Stars team. He helped Dallas go on another deep run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They even took out the defending champion Vegas Golden Knights in the process. However, Dallas couldn't go all the way. They fell to the Edmonton Oilers in the 2024 Western Conference Finals.
On July 1, Tanev sees his contract expire and he hits NHL Free Agency. And he faces quite an interesting situation. On one hand, he fits the Stars extremely well, and a contract extension makes a ton of sense. On the other hand, though, he is 34 years old. This could certainly be the final payday he receives in his career. If he wants to capitalize on that, leaving Dallas makes a lot of sense.
In any event, Tanev has a big decision to make this summer. But if he does leave the Stars, where could he go? Who does he fit with? Let's take a look at the best destinations for Chris Tanev in NHL Free Agency this summer.
The Hurricanes need right-shot depth
The Carolina Hurricanes fell short of the Stanley Cup themselves. They fell to the New York Rangers in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Carolina is still set up to potentially compete next season, though. But they will need to reinforce their roster in the summer ahead.
The Hurricanes will especially see changes on the blueline this offseason. They have four defensemen hitting unrestricted free agency on July 1. Furthermore, three of those defenders are right-shot defensemen. As of now, Scott Morrow and Brent Burns are the only right-shot rearguards under contract.
Chris Tanev could give the Hurricanes needed depth on the right side of the blueline. He immediately improves their defense, as well. The 34-year-old would be a worthwhile addition for a Hurricanes team looking to contend in 2024-25.
A reunion in Vancouver?
Tanev debuted in the NHL during the 2010-11 season. He spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Vancouver Canucks. He made the playoffs four times with Vancouver. And he even went on a bit of a run with them during the 2020 COVID-19 bubble playoffs. After that postseason, the veteran left for the Calgary Flames.
The Canucks, like the Hurricanes, could lose a number of defensemen this summer. Tyler Myers and Nikita Zadorov are likely heading to NHL Free Agency on July 1. Both of them can play on the right side of the blueline. And Myers is one of those coveted right-shot defensemen.
Vancouver wants to build upon a successful season in their own right. Bringing Chris Tanev back certainly gives them a short-term boost on the blueline. It would also be a potential full-circle moment if this is indeed Tanev's final contract as an NHL player.
Maple Leafs may make sense for Chris Tanev
Tanev began his career with Vancouver, but he calls another Canadian city home. The 34-year-old is a Toronto native. While being from a city doesn't necessarily mean a player wants to play there, it certainly doesn't hurt. Either way, the Maple Leafs are a good fit for Tanev regardless of his hometown.
Toronto is also set to lose a number of their defensemen this summer. Ilya Lyubushkin, Joel Edmundson, TJ Brodie, and Mark Giordano played regularly for the Maple Leafs in 2023-24. But all four of them are set to hit the open market. Veteran defenseman John Klingberg is also a free agent after a less-than-ideal stint in Toronto.
Tanev could join the Maple Leafs and play a big role. He'd give them something they've lacked for a while: a true shutdown defenseman. Closing out your career in your hometown is certainly a dream of many players. But the potential to bring a Stanley Cup home could factor into this, as well. All in all, the Maple Leafs make a lot of sense for the 34-year-old rearguard.
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