Canucks Rumors: Vancouver Tied To Coveted D-Man Trade Target

As we get ever closer to the NHL trade deadline on March 8, there’s been some buzz around the Vancouver Canucks perhaps trying to bring in a forward on the trade market. But according to the latest rumor, they might also be looking at a blueliner who is very familiar to Vancouver fans.

Per Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal on the Donnie & Dhali podcast, Chris Tanev, who spent the first 10 years of his career in BC, might just be looking to come back to the West Coast.

I’m still hearing Chris Tanev’s name attached to the Vancouver Canucks. Tanev still has a very soft spot in his heart for the city of Vancouver. He never wanted to leave. He wanted to finish his career in Vancouver... I’m just saying, don’t rule that out. 

Dhaliwal pointed to the need of a player with Tanev’s experience on this roster heading into the playoffs. 

“The Vancouver Canucks core does not have a ton of playoff games played. Adding leadership in a player that is still very respected in the Vancouver dressing room makes a ton of sense."

The Canucks already added a boost to the blueline earlier this season with the addition of Tanev's former Calgary Flames teammate, Nikita Zadorov. But he's a left-shot D, while Tanev would solve the Canucks' shortage on the right-shot side. 

Tanev has been tied to several other teams as well in recent weeks, not the least of which is the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tanev's hometown team. 

The 34-year-old veteran, an impending unrestricted free agent at season's end, has recorded seven points in 38 games with a plus/minus of +8, while playing 19 minutes a night. 

Photo: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports