Teams are deciding whether to purchase or sell as well as which players have the most worth and ability to make the biggest impact as the NHL Trade Deadline on March 8 draws near. View the most recent trade rumors and conjectures from the NHL beat.
The Dallas Stars acquired defenseman Chris Tanev from the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night in what turned out to be a major transaction (opens in a new tab).
In exchange for 50% of Tanev’s contract, the Flames also acquired prospect Artem Grushnikov, a 2024 second-round NHL draft pick, and a conditional 2026 third-round pick. Together with their share of Tanev’s remaining salary, the New Jersey Devils helped arrange the transaction, allowing him to have his budget hit with Dallas reduced to $1.125 million for the remainder of the season in exchange for the Stars’ fourth-round pick in 2026. In the process, Calgary also acquired the rights to New Jersey’s Cole Brady, an unsigned draft pick goalkeeper.
Stars general manager Jim Nill stated following the deal, “We are fortunate to have the opportunity to add a player of Chris’ caliber to our team.” “He is a seasoned defenseman with postseason expertise who feels at ease in every circumstance on the rink. Chris is among the NHL’s top penalty takers, and his contribution to our special teams play will be immense.
The 34-year-old, who averages 19:50 minutes of ice time this season, has one goal and 14 points in 56 games. With the Stars, he will make his postseason debut for just the sixth time in his 14-year career.
Tanev is the first defenseman dealt before the deadline this season off the TSN Trade Bait board. In terms of blueliners, teammate Noah Hanifin is still ranked #1, followed in the top ten by right-hand shooters Sean Walker of the Philadelphia Flyers and Matt Dumba of the Arizona Coyotes.
While denying trade rumors concerning captain Brady Tkachuk on Wednesday, Ottawa Senators president and general manager Steve Staios did recognize interest in defenseman Jakob Chychrun and prospective unrestricted free agent Vladimir Tarasenko.
Although Chychrun was acquired by the Ottawa general manager Pierre Dorion in March of last year for three draft picks, there have been rumors regarding his future with the organization prior to the deadline.
In a recent interview with The Athletic, Chychrun expressed his disapproval of the allegations, while Staios called the word on the leak “disappointing,” even though teams are contacting the blueliner.
“If I’m on the other side of things and looking at our team, he’s a player that I’d be calling about as well,” Staios stated in an interview with Ryan Rishaug and Pierre LeBrun on the Got Yer Back podcast (opens in a new tab). It’s a little disheartening… Being an NHL player and the attention that goes along with it are something that players, especially great players like Jakob, have to learn how to handle. Discussions occur frequently, and names are mentioned frequently.
Although it is disappointing that it was made public, we try our best to keep these matters confidential out of consideration for the players in particular. But these things do happen around that time of year, no doubt.”
Chychrun has nine goals and thirty points in 57 games this season. He is committed through the following season at a budget hit of $4.6 million. With an average of 22:36 minutes per game, he is third on the club in ice time.
Tarasenko is attracting trade interest as a possible rental at the deadline, according to Staios, who did not promise to advance the veteran.
“As you see where our team is in the standings, and you see an incredibly impactful player that’s won a Stanley Cup, there’s going to be a high level of interest for sure,” Staios stated. “He has legitimately negotiated a no-trade clause in his contract; therefore, there is a procedure to follow when attempting to relocate a player. But at the trade deadline, there is undoubtedly a lot of interest in these kinds of guys.
“I genuinely appreciate Vladdy’s contribution to our team. Arriving on a one-year contract, he keeps shown his capacity to contribute modest leadership while playing at pivotal moments. He plays the game the proper way, and although I believe he was somewhat stereotyped as an attacking player early in his career, he is, in my opinion, a well-rounded player.”
Currently ranked No. 7 on the TSN Trade Bait board is the 32-year-old winger. This season, in 55 games with Ottawa, he has 15 goals and 38 points.
The Senators are reportedly seeking “at least a second-round pick and a prospect” in exchange for Tarasenko, with the asking price perhaps going higher if the team keeps any of his $5 million budget hit, according to Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia(opens in a new tab) over the weekend.