The Calgary Flames have finally, after weeks of speculation and trade rumors, sent Chris Tanev on his way to a new team: the Dallas Stars. He joins a club that is tied with the Winnipeg Jets with 79 points to lead the central division and tied for second in the western conference. Tanev, an absolute warrior for the Flames this season with 171 blocked shots, has 14 points in 56 games played. He has netted one goal and thirteen assists. He is also a plus 16 and is averaging almost 20 minutes of ice time per game. To say he is a valued component of any functioning blue line is nothing short of an understatement.
In return, the Calgary Flames have acquired defenseman Artem Grushnikov, a 20-year-old Russian native who has 5 points, a goal, four assists, and 32 penalty minutes in 44 games with the Texas Stars of the AHL. They also received a 2024 second-round draft pick as well as a conditional 2026 third-round pick, which will only come into effect if Dallas makes it to this year’s Stanley Cup final. This trade was a multi-team deal however, and New Jersey was also involved. Calgary will retain 50% of Tanev’s salary, and New Jersey will cover the other 50%. They will also receive Dallas’ 2026 fourth-round draft pick in the deal. Dallas will receive not only Chris Tanev but goaltending prospect Cole Brady as well, who plays for the University of Massachusetts and is 4-2-2 with a .886 SV%.
Next up on the Flames trading block is fellow defenseman Noah Hanifin, as well as goaltender Jacob Markstrom, who both have had hefty amounts of rumors with their names attached to them all over the media in the last few weeks. But neither of them are letting it affect their level of play. Like Tanev, who left his heart (and body most of the time) on the ice for his team every single game, Hanifin and Markstrom are both playing some of the best hockey of their careers, which can only add to their already very high trade value for Calgary. Tanev’s departure will be felt in Calgary, both on and off the ice, as a leader and as a true warrior.
