The asking price for Chris Tanev has been revealed and it may be too rich for the Leafs
Don't look now, but the Leafs are on a bit of a heater, going 9-1-3 in their last 13 games, picking up points in 12 of those games. It's even more impressive when you look at all of the injuries on the blueline, with the club currently utilizing their #7, 8, 9 and 10 defensemen on the active roster.
We know that Leafs GM Brad Treliving is working the phones in earnest, attempting to bring in some defensive help, but in the meantime, Conor Timmins, Simon Benoit, William Lagesson and Max Lajoie have played well enough to allow the Leafs to take their time to ensure they bring in the right piece - and at the right price.
On Wednesday, trusted Insider Pierre LeBrun re-emphasized the Leafs' interest in Calgary's Chris Tanev, who is currently listed as day-to-day with an injury. LeBrun also revealed that the Flames are in no rush to move Tanev as they, too, are biding their time to ensure the best possible return for one of their top trade chips.
LeBrun stated that, while the Flames would prefer to wait and deal Tanev later in the season, closer to the trade deadline, the Leafs may be able to move things along a little more quickly if they put their 2024 1st round pick on the table - something that the Leafs appear reluctant to do. There is a wrinkle here, though. That 1st round pick, in LeBrun's mind, is the ask for Tanev with no retained salary. If the Leafs plan to have the Flames retain on Tanev, the cost may very well be north of that.
The Leafs do need a right-shot defenseman who is capable of playing in the top-4, there's no question. Tanev has been their top target seemingly since this past summer.
Do I think Treliving will part with his 1st round pick or one of his top prospects for a 33-year-old rental defenseman? I'm not so sure. But it's clear that they need to do something with Klingberg's season-ending injury having left such a huge hole on the right side.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 13 | 881 ANSWERS The asking price for Chris Tanev has been revealed and it may be too rich for the Leafs Do you think a 1st round pick is too much for the Leafs to pay for a 33-year-old rental defenseman in Chris Tanev? | ||
| Yes, it's too large an ask | 611 | 69.4 % |
| No, Tanev is probably worth it | 107 | 12.1 % |
| I think they'll get him cheaper than that | 163 | 18.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
