The Elias Lindholm trade signified the Canucks gearing up for a playoff push, as Lindholm represented the most attractive forward available on the trade market not named Jake Guentzel.

In the deal, the Canucks gave up prospect defenceman Hunter Brzustewicz, along with Joni Jurmo, Andrei Kuzmenko, a 2024 first round pick, and a 2024 fourth-round pick.

But did you know the Canucks also coveted defenceman Chris Tanev in the deal?

The Canucks have long wanted a Tanev reunion after the Canucks’ previous management regime allowed the now 35-year-old Tanev to walk in free agency and sign with the Calgary Flames ahead of the 2020-21 season. And according to Rick Dhaliwal, the Canucks almost made that reunion happen with the Lindholm trade. Here’s what Dhaliwal said at the time:

“Chris Tanev was a part of these trade talks, but the belief was that the Flames were asking for a first-round draft pick for Tanev. That’s when talks broke down for Tanev in Vancouver. The Canucks will still try on Tanev, but if they don’t get him in a trade, they can always get him on July 1, and the immense respect for Tanev in the Canucks organization is incredible from top to bottom.”

Tanev went on to sign a six-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs in free agency. The deal will pay him $4.5 million annually until his age 40 season.

You can read the full original story by clicking here, and be sure to tune in each day until December 31st for the rest of our countdown!

Our list so far:

#10: Tocchet tries not to tamper when asked about trading for Sidney Crosby
#9: Nikita Zadorov tries to avoid a fine
#8: When the Canucks’ team plane was stranded in Buffalo
#7: Demko calls Myers re-signing the best day of his life
#6: Myers breaks Draisaitl’s ribs
#5: Sedins beat every prospect up the Grouse Grind
#4: Tocchet and Hughes address the Miller-Pettersson rift 
#3: When the Canucks tried to get Chris Tanev in the Lindholm trade