Insider Names 7 Trade Destinations For Flames' Tanev At Deadline

It is very likely that the Calgary Flames will be big sellers at the trade deadline, and that means Chris Tanev, a UFA after the season, will be on the move soon. There aren't very many players like him out there and especially not on the market. He blocks shots like every game depends on it and is great at defending. He is a solidified top-four defender that will make any back-end better. This is why there is so much attention surrounding him and it will be a fight to bring him in at the deadline.

Insider Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff listed seven teams that are potential suitors for Tanev this season. This list included the Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Vancouver Canucks.

Of that group, there are two teams on the cusp of the playoffs, the Islanders and Penguins. Both sit outside right now, but there have been injuries that the Islanders have not been able to overcome yet. Ryan Pulock, Adam Pelech, and Robert Bortuzzo are all out right now and there is uncertainty surrounding when they will all be back. With Pulock and Pelech out especially, there is a need for a top-four defenseman. This is risky for them as they aren't in a playoff spot though. As with the Penguins, they may not be adding anything at the deadline, but if they do, Tanev is on their radar to help reduce goals against.

The Stars would like the upgrade to the left side and haven't stopped goals against like we imagined they would this season. Someone who can defend will be welcomed despite playing on the right side. The Panthers would like another right-shot d-man to push Dmitry Kulikov out of the lineup and Tanev would look great on that right side.

The Lightning are searching for a defenseman, but at what cost remains to be seen. They are tight on cap, but have gone for it every season despite that hindrance. The Maple Leafs tried for Nikita Zadorov from the Flames and are still trying for Tanev. They aren't close on the cost, so that might hold them back unless the Maple Leafs want to pay up. As for the Canucks, even after acquiring Zadorov, they could use an upgrade on the right side to complete their team. I would be surprised if Tanev doesn't go anywhere before the deadline. It would really be a poor decision by the Flames, whether they are in a playoff spot or not.