On Wednesday night around 8 pm EST, insiders reported a significant trade involving Chris Tanev from the Calgary Flames to the Dallas Stars. The deal includes a 2nd-round pick, a conditional 3rd-round pick, and defenseman Artem Grushnikov, with the Flames retaining 50% of Tanev’s contract.

According to one report, the New Jersey Devils are involved in the Flames and Stars deal. They are retaining money on Tanev to help process the swap. Devils’ reserve list player Cole Brady is part of the deal. They’re getting back a 4th round pick.

Despite longstanding rumors linking Tanev to the Toronto Maple Leafs, it appears that the Dallas Stars emerged as the front-runners late Wednesday and were able to secure the seasoned defenseman. TSN hockey insider Pierre LeBrun was all over the Tanev trade talks, earlier revealing that Dallas was keen on adding a right-shot defenseman, with Tanev at the top of their wishlist. While the Maple Leafs were in the mix for months, the Stars managed to outbid them and are now poised to land Tanev.

LeBrun highlighted the Stars’ eagerness to make moves and their possession of valuable picks, setting them apart from other suitors, of which there were plenty. He stated, “They [Dallas] covet going out and getting a right-shot defenseman, and he tops that list is our understanding. And they’ve made it clear what they’re willing to pay for Chris Tanev, but what that package doesn’t include is a first-round pick.” That proved to be accurate.

Stars Get Their Man in Tanev, Up Their Stanley Cup Odds

The reported deal will see Dallas succeed in acquiring the defenseman without parting ways with a coveted first-round pick. That’s huge for a team that believes they can win it all with the roster they already have. The negotiation process took time as the Flames patiently waited, hopeful that a more enticing offer, possibly including a first-round pick, would materialize. That they got three pieces in the return seems to suggest they waited for the best offer they could find.

The trade marks a significant move in the NHL landscape, with Tanev’s departure from the Flames adding an interesting dynamic to the Stars’ defensive lineup. It may now start a domino effect of trades that will see blueliners moved ahead of the March 8 NHL Trade Deadline. Most teams were waiting for the Tanev shoe to drop. It has. What’s next could come fast and furious.

Next: Is Elias Pettersson Staying In Vancouver Or Leaving the Canucks?