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This Week in Media Transcripts: A Chris Tanev Trade?
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Vanessa Jang
Jul 24, 2016, 11:00 EDTUpdated:
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Looking back at the Canucks’ disappointing season, the play of Chris Tanev was most definitely one of the bright spots. There are very few holes in the underrated defensive defenceman’s game. During his draft-elligible seasons, the knock on Tanev was his size. Nonetheless, the Canucks took a chance and signed him as a college free-agent six years ago. Playing his way from the bottom pairing to the top, Tanev has become a staple on the Canucks’ blueline, and arguably the player who could fetch the most in return.
Having spent the free-agent frenzy signing Loui Eriksson and multiple depth players, Jim Benning has been very clear that he is still looking to add a gritty, goal-scoring forward. With all the top free-agents signed, Benning says that the only way to accomplish his goal is through a trade scenario. Goal-scorers are not easy to trade for, so it’s clear that the Canucks will have to give up a valuable piece. Jim Benning recently shut down rumours that he is shopping 22 goal-scorer Jannik Hansen.
Moving down the line of the Canucks’ tradable assets, Chris Tanev’s name sticks out, especially after seeing the return that teams received for players of a similar calibre. After New Jersey acquired Taylor Hall in exchange for Adam Larsson, the idea of trading Chris Tanev might not be as undesirable as one would think. This week, much of the media inputted their own opinions on the idea/rumours of trading the 26 year-old defenseman.
Iain MacIntyre: “They should consider moving every player. That said, there’s very little chance that the Canucks are going to trade Tanev, just because he is so important to them. Tanev’s contract looked pretty good when he signed it, and it’s going to look better every year. The guys who are on a good contract are the guys you want to keep. They should absolutely consider it and ask around. Realistically, there’s very little chance.”
Mike Halford: “You have to look at what defensemen are getting in trades in the open market. Adam Larsson got Taylor Hall into New Jersey, Erik Gudbranson got Jared McCann and 2nd and 4th-round picks to Florida, Seth Jones gets you Ryan Johansen. There are big, sizeable moves that you can make when you move a defenseman. Tanev has a really nice contract, and he’s obviously very well-renowned for his defensive play. If you could make a trade where you get talent that can play right away, Tanev would be the way to do it.”
Jason Botchford: “When you see Larsson for Hall, you start to think what Tanev is worth. I believe Tanev is better than Larsson. He’s a guy that is underrated and under-hyped, but some of these guys are starting to get acknowledged. I do think the Canucks have explored the idea of trading Chris Tanev, and I do think he was out there in PK Subban talks and other places too. I think it’s great if they are going to trade Tanev because their sights are set really really high.”
Tanev is currently making $4.45M over the next four years, and he is widely considered to be one of the best defensive defensemen in the NHL. The Canucks are certainly getting their value for their money, and it would be very difficult to re-acquire a player that would replace what he brings to the team. It is important to remember that the trade talk is merely speculation. There is a difference between shopping Chris Tanev and listening to calls. If there is a team desperate for defense, so much that they’re willing to offer up an attractive top 6 forward, one cannot fault Benning for listening. The general consensus from the interviews of MacIntyre, Halford, and Botchford is that no harm can be done from entertaining a call from another GM. The gritty, goal-scoring forward that the Canucks are looking for will not be easy to obtain, but now it all depends on how hard Benning is willing to push for it. There would be trade-offs with a potential trade, and a valuable asset would certainly be leaving the Canucks organization. Nonetheless, the thought of possible returns for a defenseman of Tanev’s calibre may excite some individuals, especially, as stated by Jason Botchford, when you at the deals made by New Jersey, Nashville, and Florida.

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