Flames Trade Rumors: Frontrunner Emerges For Chris Tanev

 

He's been one of the most sought after names on the trade market all season and now, with less than a week and a half to go until the deadline, it appears that a front-runner has emerged in the Chris Tanev sweepstakes.

At least 12 teams have been linked to the Calgary Flames' impending unrestricted free agent defenseman. But now hockey insider Pierre LeBrun has revealed on TSN's Insider Trading that a Stanley Cup contender out west has the inside edge:

I would go with the Dallas Stars... (their reported interest) has continued to grow. They have coveted going out and getting a right-shot defenceman and he tops that list. And they made it clear to the Calgary Flames what they're willing to pay in a trade for Chris Tanev. But what that package doesn't include right now, is my understanding, is it does not include a first round pick.

And really, that's why Chris Tanev hasn't moved. Because of all the teams that have shown interest—and we know that a dozen teams that have reached out on Tanev—no one has yet slapped a first round pick on the table, and that's why I think the Flames are willing to be patient and see if the market plays out.

The price has apparently gone up, as the original ask was thought to be a second-rounder, but the Flames are now holding out for more.  

Tanev has made it clear that he'd like to be dealt to a contender—a team with a chance to win the Stanley Cup. He has a clause in his contract that contains a 10-team no-trade list, but it's unlikely this will impact the talks as it's extremely doubtful that a team out of the race would be in the mix for the pending UFA.

The Dallas Stars currently lead the Central Division with 79 points, the second-best record in the Western Conference. 

Tanev, 34, is playing just under 20 minutes a game this season for Calgary, and sits second in the NHL with 169 blocked shots, while sporting a plus-minus rating of +13 in 55 games.

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