It looks like Brad Treliving has got his top pair defenceman.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired the rights to the pending UFA defenceman Chris Tanev, sending Max Ellis and the Leafs 2026 seventh-round pick to the Dallas Stars.
It’s been years since the Maple Leafs had such a stud right-handed blueliner, but it looks like Treliving has changed that.
The Leafs were rumoured to be in on Tanev at the trade deadline, but were unable to land him. He played exceptionally well in Dallas, and should get a hefty contract from Toronto.
Toronto didn’t give much up to get Tanev’s rights, but it would be a bad look if Treliving can’t sign him now. He’ll be a fantastic fit in blue and white, but it’ll be curious to see how much money and term he gets, seeing as he has a lot of leverage now.
Tanev will instantly become Toronto’s best defensive defenceman, shoring up a blueline that struggled mightily last year.
if they sign Tanev to big money then no doubt they will have to trade or dump Marner’s contract.