Confirmed with Link: Rights to Chris Tanev for Max Ellis, 2026 7th rd selection

[aingefan]

Some of ya’ll are on drugs who the hell is getting excited about a defenceman who will be 35 years old this year slotting him on the top pairing? Let alone giving him a 7 year contract extension? Ffs

I’m not a huge fan of the cap circumvention part, but I mean Ron Hainsey came here for his age 36 and 37 seasons and paired very well with Mo.
Tanev’s role would be similar.
So, I’m okay with three years based in that precedent.
Plus, I don’t mind some small injuries and load management. Timmins can get some games, Niemela can get some games, Lili can move up. It’s a long season.
It’s got some risk, but at least there’s some continuity there and a pause to the annual shopping for Mo’s partner at the deadline.

 

[aingefan]

Who knows how accurate rumours are, but we haven't been tied to Roy at all, he has no connections to the organization in terms of GM, coach, key players, etc, and he's American. He would be one of my top choices, but he seems unlikely.

Zadorov, Montour, or Lybushkin would be my guesses. Maybe an Ekblad trade, though the trade assets + his new contract and injury history are all concerning.

There have been Roy links the past two days, which is good.
But not as hot as the link to Zad. Which is less good (as a fit imo).
Seems like Tre is going hard after those two as the other big addition, and both will be hot targets.
I’ve made my peace with Zad if it goes that way, but for me I’d rank my preferences as Roy, Carrier then Zad.
Reilly-Tanev, McCabe-Roy/Carrier, Benny-Lili.
Or Reilly-Tanev, Zad-Lili/McCabe, Benny-McCabe/Lili.
OEL also linked to the Tre. I can’t see how he’d think it’s a great fit for himself in either scenario above, and I’d rather Benny/Lili keep playing.

 

[29Potvin]

Is Tanev really that hot a commodity there's gonna be a lineup of GM's at his agent's door with a long term mega-million dollar deal for him?

If some other team wants to overpay for him that can only be a good thing.



For a younger, better, less injury prone player.

Stars and Canucks both reported as having interest in him.
If trading a 7th and RFA rights of a player we weren't going to sign is all it cost and you get him signed before July 1st its a win.
You start July 1st fresh with a budget and not chasing a player that potential cost you someone else on your list.
If they sign Tanev,Domi and Bert today that opens up opportunities to negotiate with the next guys on your list right away or make a trade first thing knowing you have those three locked in.

 

[13pacheco31]

Stars and Canucks both reported as having interest in him.
If trading a 7th and RFA rights of a player we weren't going to sign is all it cost and you get him signed before July 1st its a win.
You start July 1st fresh with a budget and not chasing a player that potential cost you someone else on your list.
If they sign Tanev,Domi and Bert today that opens up opportunities to negotiate with the next guys on your list right away or make a trade first thing knowing you have those three locked in.

This is sounding like a deal they should walk away from. Focus on signing Roy

 

[Niagara Bill]

Tanev might be OK, but our real issue on D is Mo. He is not a number 1. He is a good 2 or 3 at 5.5. We need to find our Bouchard.
At least with Tanev and Reaves we may have two guys in the room who can straighten out Mitchy, AM, Bert when they decide to play soft hockey for weeks on end.

 

[notdoneyet]

Is Tanev really that hot a commodity there's gonna be a lineup of GM's at his agent's door with a long term mega-million dollar deal for him?

If some other team wants to overpay for him that can only be a good thing.



For a younger, better, less injury prone player.

He was arguably Dallas best defender in the playoffs

If I were so down on the leafs as you are I would seriously think about rooting for another team. You are going to have a stroke because the team isn’t doing what you and your expertise think is right

 

[Kazparov]

Not judging this until I see the AAV

If they get a low AAV because he's going to spend the last 3 years of a 6 year deal on Robidas island then this is a great move.

 

[SprDaVE]

I don't understand why some of you don't know he's exactly what the Leafs need. He's not some meathead or just an average player.

Yes he's not 25 anymore but he's been fantastic in recent years. One of the best defensive defenseman in the league as of just last season and was a beast for Dallas.

Out of everything Treliving has done so far, targetting Tanev is one of the very few positives.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1807146338552828338

 

[13pacheco31]

I don't understand why some of you don't know he's exactly what the Leafs need. He's not some meathead or just an average player.

Yes he's not 25 anymore but he's been fantastic in recent years. One of the best defensive defenseman in the league as of just last season and was a beast for Dallas.

Out of everything Treliving has done so far, targetting Tanev is one of the very few positives.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1807146338552828338

Signing a 35 year old to a long term contract is not what we need

 

[SprDaVE]

Signing a 35 year old to a long term contract is not what we need

He's shown to be very good up to this point. He'll do well for awhile. If the cap hit is low, it's all that matters.

 

[Jojalu]

I don't understand why some of you don't know he's exactly what the Leafs need. He's not some meathead or just an average player.

Yes he's not 25 anymore but he's been fantastic in recent years. One of the best defensive defenseman in the league as of just last season and was a beast for Dallas.

Out of everything Treliving has done so far, targetting Tanev is one of the very few positives.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1807146338552828338

I have been advocating for Tanev for years. I have always believed he would be a great fit with Mo.

I am not sure how many hood years he has left, but for those who still believe he is injury prone, know he didn't miss many games in Calgary at all.

It looks like Marner is staying this year, so if they add Tanev and either Roy or Zadorov, I can't see how they fix the fact they can't score in the playoffs, but it might set up the D for 2025 when Tavares and Marner come off the books

 

[29Potvin]

This is sounding like a deal they should walk away from. Focus on signing Roy

Seems like this is what more teams will be doing with vets.
Lightning offered Stammer term not dollars upfront.
Tanev at 3-3.5 works for me over the next three years

 

[Leaf Fans]

Signing a 35 year old to a long term contract is not what we need

No, not a +35 contract. 34 year old is OK still especially if the term is to keep the AAV down.

 

[Dale Gribble]

Trading for someone we could have got for free ?
A 34 year old defense men who reportedly wants a 5-8 year deal ?

Add in the Woll overpay for a goalie who has less than one full season in the NHL, and only proven that when healthy can play well in short spurts ?

Add in the Kampf, Reaves, Matthews, and Nylander over pays...

Marner and Tavares potentially sticking around...

 

[DarkKnight]

He's shown to be very good up to this point. He'll do well for awhile. If the cap hit is low, it's all that matters.

Our window is now too, we’re striving to be a legit cup contender. Him in our lineup next year, CLOSER. I don’t get the angst, sure he’s old, losing every year, pissing away AM prime years, that’s what OLD is. Tanev was a stud a month ago, that should be our primary takeaway, he isn’t Gio.

 

[Dale Gribble]

Our window is now too, we’re trying to be a legit cup contender. Him in our lineup next year, CLOSER. I don’t get the angst, sure he’s old, losing every year, pissing away AM prime years, that’s what OLD is. Tanev was a stud a month ago, that should be our primary takeaway, he isn’t Gio.

Our window was gone a long time ago in my opinion. Way too much money tied up at the top, and not enough depth throughout the line up to make a real go of it.

Brodie was a pretty good D man too not to long ago, but that didn't work out either.

 

[DarkKnight]

Our window was gone a long time ago in my opinion. Way too much money tied up at the top, and not enough depth throughout the line up to make a real go of it.

Brodie was a pretty good D man too not to long ago, but that didn't work out either.

So what does it matter then with that perspective. If I felt that way, I wouldn’t even watch the team.

 

[Dale Gribble]

So what does it matter then with that perspective. If I felt that way, I wouldn’t even watch the team.

While I am down on the team, thankfully I am not on the ledge yet.

 

[DarkKnight]

While I am down on the team, thankfully I am not on the ledge yet.

Tanev firms up the ledge, there is no question he makes our D better next season. And I’m convinced the latter years of thsi deal will be dealt with one way or another. I’d add, the Leafs have zero dead cap space, even if we do the dreaded buyout option, with a decent AAV, it won’t amount to much of a deterrent anyways. And in the near term, we were able to add a top pairing defensive specialist for what will be good money, without giving up anything. A good piece of business if you ask me, can’t wait to see Tanev finally stabilize this defensive corp. And will add another D man, let the stew gel.

 

[Jojalu]

While I am down on the team, thankfully I am not on the ledge yet.

The window is certainly not closed. If anything, and I am giving Tre the benefit of doubt, it is still slightly open this year and ahould be fully open the following 3

 

[The Podium]

Tanev is the perfect D for this team, you just have to worry about a Brodie-esque sudden drop in play and effectiveness.

Ideally there’s just a handshake agreement that he LTIRs when the wheels fall off, he has enough of an injury history and I bet slew of chronic issues that it can be justified by a doctor at any time.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

Tanev is the perfect D for this team, you just have to worry about a Brodie-esque sudden drop in play and effectiveness.

Ideally there’s just a handshake agreement that he LTIRs when the wheels fall off, he has enough of an injury history and I bet slew of chronic issues that it can be justified by a doctor at any time.

I see this turning into another Klingberg situation at some point.

Except with Tanev signed for multiple years.

 

[Sypher04]

I see this turning into another Klingberg situation at some point.

Except with Tanev signed for multiple years.

Of course you do.

 

[The Management]

Just hope they find a way to keep the AAV low, low, low to let them make further adjustments to the roster. Cap space is at a premium.

The fact Toronto traded for his rights should tell you Treliving is concerned other teams are interested. And why wouldn't they be? I have some concerns about the age of this player as well, but right now, he's a bonafide upgrade on most teams.

It's not without some risk, but if they can lock him in at a good price, I'll be happy.

 

[TheDoldrums]

Tanev just shut down Eichel and MacKinnon in the playoffs.

He has literally the lowest expected goals against in the entire league over the last couple seasons.

At this moment he is perhaps the single best defensive defenseman in the league, at worst he's merely "elite" in a group with a few others. Right shot on a team desperate for them. Some of the comments here wondering how he could help are really weird. If he gets hurt he's on LTIR, freeing up that cap space. The downsides are being exaggerated.