Atlantic Division Team Making "Hard Push" For Chris Tanev

After his gutsy playoff performance further cemented his warrior status on the blueline, Chris Tanev will be in demand this offseason as an unrestricted free agent—if the Dallas Stars don't somehow find a way to re-sign him before July 1st.

Our recent report earlier this week noted that the offers will be "pouring in" for Tanev, and now we're hearing that one of them could be from the Ottawa Senators, who aren't giving up the chase for Tanev.

Bruce Garrioch wrote in the Ottawa Citizen this week that the Sens will be targeting Tanev, which is consistent with the "hard push" they made for him back in January from the Calgary Flames. The understanding is that he wouldn't waive his no-trade clause to go to Ottawa at the time. At his advanced age (in hockey terms, of course), it's expected that Tanev would want to go to a Stanley Cup contender.

One new wrinkle that could make Tanev soften his stance on Ottawa, however, is that he was a trusted d-man in Vancouver under then Canucks-coach and new Senators head coach Travis Green for several years. Ottawa is still in need of another solid veteran right-shot defenseman, and their interest in Tanev hasn't waned at all since January.

First, though, it all depends on what Dallas is able to come up in talks to keep the shot-blocking blueliner. He stated after the season that he loved his time in Big D and would like to stay, so the first move is Dallas's. If they fall short, as Garrioch says, "the Senators will make a push."

Tanev blocked over 200 shots this past season, and still leads the Stanley Cup playoffs this year with an incredible 73 blocks in 19 games. He was a vital fixture in the Stars' top-four on defense for their playoff run.