Insider: Flames’ Plans For Chris Tanev May Be Changing

The Calgary Flames dealt one of their slew of pending UFA defenseman last week in Nikita Zadorov, but according to a report Monday morning by NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, the status of another, Chris Tanev, might actually still be up in the air:

On Tanev, I'm getting some mixed messages. I had a couple of people call me on Sunday... who think that Calgary makes another run to sign him, now I don't know what the likelihood of that is or isn't, but I did have a couple of who think that Calgary will try and keep him, so we'll see how that all plays out.

Friedman made the comments on his 32 Thoughts podcast, and this comes as a surprise, as Tanev had become one of the top blueliners on the trade market this season, in fact, THE No. 1 D-man on Daily Faceoff's trade board. Tanev is on an expiring deal that pays him $4.5M AAV, and it will take some cap manoeuvrings to fit him in on many teams that are interested. 

It's certainly understandable why Calgary would try to give it a shot to keep him. The right-shot D has a commitment to defense that became legendary this past week when this video of him blocking a shot with his face made the rounds: 

Chris Tanev blocks a shot with his face. Hope he is ok after that play! pic.twitter.com/zALvUApFjj

— Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) November 28, 2023

Tanev has finished top 10 in the NHL in blocked shots in two of the past four seasons, and with 59 already this year in 24 games, he's on pace to be near that level again. 

The Flames' other notable pending UFA on the blueline, Noah Hanifin was close to an extension earlier in the season, but talks broke off when the team went into a tailspin.  

Photo: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports