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What could a Chris Tanev trade return look like for the Calgary Flames?

Originally posted on Flamesnation | By Robert Munnich | Last updated 1/4/24

The Calgary Flames are open for business! As we all know, it’s only a matter of time before two of or all of Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin, and Chris Tanev are traded.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at what each potential trade could look like from a Flames perspective.

We’ll start with Chris Tanev

Tanev is one of the more unique players in the NHL. He is a smart, incredible defensive defenceman, and has great positioning with his body and stick in his own end. He’ll block shots with his face. He’s the type of player who will do anything to win.

Tanev also brings a lot of intangibles to the table. All you hear from his teammates is how much he is loved in the locker room and what a great leader he is. Tanev is the type of person you can bring into a team and know he’s going to fit in right away and be a positive leader with young players.

The only faults to his game is that he has tended to get injured because of the reckless style of game he plays and he puts up little offensive numbers. Tanev has only scored 20 or more points in three of his 11 seasons as an NHL regular. But you’re not trading for Tanev to score goals. You bring him in to play on the PK and match up against the opposing top lines.

Let’s take a look at some trades over the last three seasons for similar players to Chris Tanev. Not all these deals are going to be perfect comparables, but we’ll use them to help set a price for what the Flames could get in a trade for Tanev.

Based off his reputation around the NHL, the lack of quality defencemen available on the trade market as of Jan. 4, and the intangibles he brings to the table, Chris Tanev should fetch a very nice return for Craig Conroy and the Calgary Flames.

Conroy should be able to acquire a package that starts with a second-round pick at the bare minimum, plus another draft pick or prospect. That’s without any salary retention.

If the Flames are willing to retain up to half of Chris Tanev’s salary, then a first-round pick should be included in the trade package coming to Calgary.

My prediction

My guess is that there will be a bidding war between multiple teams for Tanev’s services between now and the trade deadline. That bidding war is going to result in the Flames acquiring a first-round and fifth round pick for Tanev. Calgary will eat up to 50% of Tanev’s salary in the deal, something Conroy has been talking about doing since the Nikita Zadorov trade.