TRADE: Maple Leafs Acquire Chris Tanev's Signing Rights

The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired Chris Tanev's signing rights from the Dallas Stars in exchange for Max Ellis and a 2026 seventh-round pick.

🔹 TRADE ALERT 🔹 pic.twitter.com/mDZIuoaX6Y
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) June 29, 2024

The Maple Leafs were heavily interested in Tanev before the Stars acquired him this past season from the Calgary Flames. They were expected to make a big push for him on July 1 as well. However, with this move, the Maple Leafs will now get the chance to have contract discussions with him early.

It is not a secret that the Maple Leafs need to improve the right side of their defense, and now they have a strong chance to do just that by signing Tanev. If they successfully sign him, he would be a significant addition to their top four, as he would give them a solid defensive defenseman who kills penalties and has plenty of experience.

Tanev, 34, appeared in 75 regular-season games this past season split between the Flames and Stars, where he had two goals to go along with 19 points and a plus-22 rating. He then followed that up by recording two assists and a plus-7 rating in 19 playoff games.

According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, Tanev's agent, Wade Arnott, said that Tanev and the Maple Leafs have not spoken yet. This, of course, will be changing shortly. It will now be interesting to see if the Maple Leafs can successfully sign Tanev before July 1 from here.