A big move to bolster the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ blue line could be imminent.
Toronto acquired the rights to Chris Tanev from the Dallas Stars, allowing the Leafs to negotiate with the defenceman ahead of free agency, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday.
In return, the Stars received a 2026 seventh-round pick and forward Max Ellis.
By acquiring Tanev’s rights, the Leafs will not only be able to negotiate ahead of time, they’ll also be able to offer the defenceman a seven-year contract, instead of a shorter term, should they have waited to sign him on July 1 or later.
Tanev, 34, was traded from the Calgary Flames to the Dallas Stars on Feb. 29. He helped the Stars reach the Western Conference Final before they were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers.
In 19 regular season games with the Stars, he had one goal and four assists. He added two assists in 19 games during the Stars’ playoff run. Overall, the Toronto-native had two goals and 17 assists split between the Flames and Stars last season.
Tanev has played 14 seasons in the NHL with the Flames, Stars and Vancouver Canucks. He is coming off a four-year, $18-million contract he signed with the Flames before the 2020-21 season.