December 1, 2023 | 11:13am ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

MAPLE LEAFS TARGETING VETERAN TANEV

Chris Tanev, defenceman

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been exploring the trade market for upgrades on the blueline and may be zeroing in on a veteran defenceman from the Western Conference.

Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving has weighing his options for defensive help and has expressed interest in a player he’s familiar with, Calgary Flames rearguard Chris Tanev.

Tanev, 33, is in the final year of his current contract, which comes with a $4.5 million salary cap hit, and owns a 10-team no-trade list.

The Leafs are waiting to understand the scope of John Klingberg’s injury and could find out today if he requires season-ending surgery, according to TFP’s David Pagnotta.

Pagnotta mentioned Friday morning on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio that if Klingberg is shutdown, the Maple Leafs will try to take advantage of his $4.15 million cap hit and spend that money elsewhere to upgrade their blueline, with Tanev being a target.

Treliving also voiced interest in Nikita Zadorov before the Flames traded him to the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.