Point is, with or without Tanev, the Canucks will be a bad team for the forseeable future. We have nothing to look forward to offensively other than Boeser who's not going to be able to carry the team by himself. At least with Kadri, you're getting a 2c/low end 1c who could develop into a full time everyday 1C. He's the same age as Tanev. I think Kadri would thrive being sheltered a bit and not given high defensive responsibilities/ability to play behind the Sedins while they're still here.
I mean, you clearly realize that he's nearly the same age as Tanev...When forwards tend to peak earlier than defencemen, especially when we're talking about a relative "late bloomer" with a cerebral style like Tanev's that reeks of potential longevity. So what exactly makes Kadri so much better a fit for the future again?
What makes you think Kadri has some sort of hidden #1C potential that he's yet to remotely uncover at age 26? He's had more than ample opportunity through the Leafs bad years to seize a #1C job...and he's just not that player.
The Canucks lacking some exciting pieces like a future #1C right now, is absolutely no reason to go fully off the rails trading a top-pairing rock of a defenceman like Tanev for a roughly same-aged #2C who produced like a decent but very middle of the road 2nd line Center, with huge minutes and opportunity. It makes no sense.
If the Canucks need high-end offensive talent for the future (and they obviously do)...that's the kind of piece you either get somebody to do something bonkers (like trading you a Marner calibre piece), or you just draft them yourself in the coming years - where you're absolutely convinced the Canucks are apparently going to be terrible, which comes with premium draft picks. Which you can then use on Forwards in the draft, who tend to jump into the league relatively quickly these days...and may offer
legitimate 1st line upside. As opposed to dealing a terrific asset on a fantastic value contract...for a same aged offensive-oriented #2C. To say nothing of the gaping hole that moving Tanev would create on the RHD of the Canucks for the next half dozen years. Which leaves you chasing your own tail trying to draft and develop
another top pairing RHD.