I appreciate that there is reason to be concerned about the later years of his contract, but at this point, I really don't care too much. We need to win, and have some success NOW. By all accounts, it seems most fans want drastic changes the next offseason, if we fail again. I think most wanted it this offseason too, but here we are.
If the belief that Shanahan, and the entire management team's jobs are on the line here, then they needed to go all in this season, and not worry about years 5 or 6 on Tanev's contract. It's clear Tanev was a guy Tre wanted, and he did whatever he could to obtain him.
If we fail this year, what happens next? Most would say.. Shanahan gone, maybe Tre gone, Marner gone... maybe Tavares gone, or extended cheap. Plenty of cap space to retool.
This is a group that needs to focus on the NOW, not the years 5 and 6 from now. If they win the cup before then... who cares if Tanev is useless in years 5 and 6. If they bomb out again... well massive changes to everything is coming, so again... who cares.