REPORT: Dallas Stars Insider Talks About Major NHL Trade Deadline Move…

“Tanev Chose Dallas Over Edmonton,” Says Dallas Stars Insider About Major NHL Trade Deadline Move..

Fans and analysts of the Dallas Stars are thrilled with newcomer Chris Tanev’s performance, especially as the team prepares for the Western Conference finals against the Edmonton Oilers.

At the 2024 trade deadline, Tanev reportedly opted to join the Dallas Stars instead of the Edmonton Oilers, both teams having shown strong interest in the skilled right-shot defenseman.

This insight comes from Daryl “Razor” Reaugh, a former Oilers goalie and current Dallas Stars broadcaster.

“Only good things seem to transpire when he’s on the ice,” Reaugh commented on Tanev, highlighting how the Stars alternate Tanev and Miro Heiskanen on the right side. “They defend, then get the puck, and it’s gone. Nothing bad seems to happen when he’s out there, very little anyway.

It’s going to be fascinating going forward. I think it was reported during the trade deadline that he (Tanev) chose Dallas over Edmonton. The Oilers wanted him badly. And he chose Dallas. And now the two squads are going to face off, which is fantastic. He was worth everything they gave up to get him.”

My thoughts:

1. While Reaugh’s information might not be infallible, it is credible. Razor is a significant Dallas Stars insider, having been with the broadcast team since 1996 and hosting the official Stars podcast, Podman Rush, since 2018.

2. Reaugh’s statement adds to the intrigue surrounding the Tanev trade, which has been clouded by rumors, theories, and speculation. It’s unclear why Calgary traded him to Dallas, even though Edmonton seemingly offered more.

3. Tanev’s four-year contract with Calgary at $4.5 million per season expires this summer. Unable to secure a new deal, Calgary traded Tanev in late February. Tanev had given Flames GM Craig Conroy a 10-team no-trade list as per his contract.

The Stars acquired Tanev while covering only 75% of his remaining cap hit, in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick, a 2026 fourth-round pick, minor league d-man Artem Grushnikov, and a conditional 2026 third-round pick.

4. The final contenders for Tanev, the top d-man on the market in February 2024, were Dallas, Edmonton, Colorado, Vancouver, and Toronto, according to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic.

The Flames reportedly had a first-round pick offer on the table for Tanev. “I’m not sure which team offered the first-round pick to Calgary with a player attached, but Edmonton and Colorado seem likely.

Edmonton could have offered their first-round pick if Calgary took Cody Ceci (signed through next season at a $3.25 million AAV), and Colorado might have offered a first-round pick wanting the Flames to take Ryan Johansen (signed through next season at a $4 million AAV).”

5. On the March 4 episode of Sportsnet’s 32 Thoughts podcast, Elliotte Friedman confirmed Edmonton’s offer of a first-round pick for Tanev. “I believe Edmonton was seriously interested in Tanev and he considered playing there. Edmonton’s offer included a first-round pick with the condition Calgary take a player off their roster, but Calgary didn’t agree.”

6. Edmonton’s failure to upgrade its blueline or acquire another top forward at the trade deadline brought criticism to Oilers GM Ken Holland. Former NHL GM Brian Lawton commented on Oilers Now that Edmonton had fallen behind in the playoff trade deadline’s “arms race.”

7. With Tanev excelling in Dallas and another former Flame, Nikita Zadorov, performing well against the Oilers for Vancouver, social media has buzzed with complaints about Flames GM Craig Conroy aiding Edmonton’s rivals, Dallas and Vancouver, while disadvantaging the Oilers. This theory gained traction because Conroy rejected Edmonton’s offer for Tanev.

8. But what if Reaugh is correct? What if Tanev leveraged his no-trade list to choose Dallas over Edmonton? Perhaps he saw Dallas as a stronger Cup contender or a better place to secure a new contract, given Dallas’s greater cap space. Or maybe he preferred the lower taxes in Dallas.

9. It’s clear Ken Holland made a strong offer for Tanev. A first-round pick is more valuable than a second-round pick. Ceci is a reliable veteran with one year left on his contract. On paper, Edmonton’s offer seemed better than Dallas’s, but if Tanev dictated his destination, it explains why he ended up in Dallas.