Flames Contemplating Big Decision With Chris Tanev

The Calgary Flames are going downhill and it is becoming more and more likely that every one of their pending UFAs are going to be traded this season. This could even come sooner so that the team has adequate time to bring up some of their youngsters and head in a new direction sooner.

Pierre LeBrun reported that 3-4 teams are already in on Chris Tanev. The dilemma being that if they wait, he could get injured and either lose value, lose games, or even end up staying and the Flames getting nothing in return for him before he leaves in the offseason. They are contemplating moving him now since it seems as though a Nikita Zadorov trade is imminent. The same teams that seem to be interested in Zadorov should also be in on Tanev. Both are defensive players and are looking to win.

Tanev isn't as physical, but he is stellar defensively and the Flames should get a good return from him. Half of his cap hit will likely be retained and I don't think he will make it difficult on the Flames to move him since he has a partial no-trade clause. I doubt any team he would be going to is on the no-trade list anyways.

Tanev is injury-prone, so it is a risky gamble to wait until later in the season. Even if the Flames miraculously turn things around this season and sneak into the playoffs, are they going to do anything? Probably not. Craig Conroy knows that and with players like Connor Zary and Dustin Wolf being recalled recently, he is already trying to get them into the NHL lineup. The best course of action is to deal Tanev as soon as possible and get a better draft spot by losing more games.