Insider Trading: The Dallas Stars are the front-runners for Chris Tanev

The segment began with panel host James Duthie asking Pierre LeBrun who the front runner is to land Tanev:

“I would go with the Dallas Stars, who as Dregs has mentioned earlier this season have shown interest. Well, that interest has continued to grow from the Dallas Stars. They covet going out and getting a right shot defenceman, and he tops that list is our understanding. And they’ve made it clear to the Calgary Flames what they’re willing to pay in a trade for Chris Tanev. But what that package doesn’t include right now, my understanding, is it does not include a first-round pick. And really, that’s why Chris Tanev hasn’t moved. Because of all the teams that have shown interest, and we know that a dozen teams have reached out on Chris Tanev, no one has slapped a first-round pick yet on the table, which is why I think the Flames are willing to be patient and see if the market plays out. But if he is traded, as we expect, Tanev wants to go to a winning team, a team with a chance to win a Stanley Cup this year. And of course Dallas fits that criteria. But again: Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, among the other contenders with interest.”

The 34-year-old Tanev is a right shot defender who’s served as an alternate captain for the Flames over the past two seasons, and has been lauded for being a “do anything to help the team” heart-and-soul defender. He blocks shots. He hits. He battles. If you’re a team headed to the post-season, Tanev is the exact type of gritty, intangibles-laden blueliner you want to add to bolster your lineup.

Tanev is in the final year of a four year deal with a $4.5 million cap hit. His deal includes a 10-team no-trade list, per Cap Friendly, so he has a degree of control over where he ends up. The Flames have three games remaining on their schedule before the trade deadline; we’ll see how many of them Tanev suits up for.