In the ‘worst’ free agent deal, the Leafs paid an extra $12 million and extended the term.
The Toronto Maple Leafs signed Chris Tanev, a former Dallas Stars defenseman, to the sixth-largest contract of the offseason.
According to Toronto Star insider Nick Kypreos, the Maple Leafs outbid all other organizations trying to sign the blueliner for a longer contract, as well as the Stars by $12 million.
“Give credit to Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving (…)” He ultimately signed Tanev to a six-year, $27-million contract after failing to acquire him several times at the trade deadline,” Kypreos stated. “While many other teams were willing to pay Tanev a higher salary with shorter term, he found a way to get the deal done.”
Later in his essay, Kypreos disclosed that the Stars only offered Tanev $15 million over three years, with an average annual worth of $5 million. The Leafs’ offer did not meet the AAV, which averages $4.5 million per year, but the total amount was too much for Tanev to pass up.
However, Scott Maxwell of Daily Faceoff named Tanev’s contract with Toronto as one of the “Honorable Mentions” for the ‘worst contracts’ inked in 2024.
“Not a bad addition, but the contract is enough above market value that it doesn’t feel like a win,” Maxwell said. “In a vacuum, Chris Tanev is the perfect addition for the Leafs to address their defensive difficulties, but signing a 34-year-old to a six-year contract is
“Sure, it can be LTIRed down the road if he gets hurt, but signing someone to a long-term deal in the hopes that he doesn’t play the full term out isn’t really the big-brained move a lot of Leafs fans seem to think it is.”
Chris Tanev’s signing is labeled ‘risky’.
Tanev was signed to a six-year, $27 million contract by Toronto only hours before free agency began, after exchanging for his negotiation rights with the Dallas Stars.
Tanev is already 34 years old and has injury problems on his name and resume. According to NHL insider Chris Johnston, Tanev’s signing is ‘risky’.
“The contract is lengthy and risky. But this was exactly the type of guy the Leafs needed and the one who was available,” Johnston stated on The Chris Johnston Show on July 4. “Assuming health, which you can’t always assume health for a 34-year-old who has had a series of injuries, I like it short-term for the Leafs for sure.”
Treliving, the Leafs’ general manager, was pleased to sign his former blueliner to his new team, despite his age.
“He’s simply an exceptional defensive defender. We talk about offensive players seeing plays early. “He does the same thing, but on the defensive side of the puck,” Treliving told Mike Zeisberger of NHL.com. “An absolute warrior. He’s a cultural ambassador for
“Listen, I know what age he is. But I believe he has demonstrated in the last year that he is one of the best shutdown defenseman and defensive players in the league. And he’s a true shooter. He represents everything you want in a teammate.
“This is exciting. A hell of a player. Terrific individual. He’ll be an important element of our organization if we can pull everything together.”
Was the Maple Leafs’ offer to Chris Tanev too long?
Tanev has made 792 regular-season appearances since joining the league as an undrafted free agent in the 2010-11 season. Tanev got 190 points in all those games, with 33 goals and 157 assists.
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