DONE DEAL:The Maple Leafs heard Caoch’s offer to reside with Chris Tanev due to..

DONE DEAL:The Maple Leafs heard Caoch’s offer to reside with Chris Tanev due to,

The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired defenseman Chris Tanev’s contract rights from the Dallas Stars on Saturday in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round selection pick and prospect Max Ellis. Tanev, 34, is due to become an unrestricted free agency on July 1, and by acquiring his rights now from Dallas, the Maple Leafs will have an exclusive opportunity to sign him before he hits the open market. Toronto correctly predicted that Tanev would have multiple suitors as a free agent. The veteran is a sought-after right-handed defenseman who would immediately take up a top-pairing role with the Maple Leafs. Toronto has been keen to match Morgan Rielly with a new teammate, and Tanev could be the right person as a one-two punch. Rielly is on the Maple Leafs’ back end.

The Maple Leafs expressed interest in Tanev around the March trade deadline as well, but we were able to complete a transaction. Tanev was instead traded from Calgary to Dallas, where he scored one goal and five points in 19 regular-season games, playing roughly 20 minutes per game. Brad Treliving, Toronto’s general manager, has a relationship with Tanev dating back to their time with the Flames in 2020 until Treliving left Calgary’s general management position in 2023. Treliving discussed his team’s NHL draft acquisition in Las Vegas on Saturday, stating the Leafs wanted to “jump the queue” when it appeared Tanev would not be re-signing with the Stars.

“He’s an elite defensive player,” Treliving stated. “He is an incredible warrior. He’s a culture carrier for your room. I know the player well. We’ll begin working on (a contract) right away, and I’m looking forward to speaking with him directly.” The Maple Leafs could sign Tanev, who is from the Toronto area, to a maximum seven-year contract.