The Edmonton Oilers had a dismal start to their 2023–24 season, but they have since turned things around and are now vying for a playoff position. They lost to the Vegas Golden Knights, ending their current 16-game winning streak, but on Friday, February 9, they defeated the Anaheim Ducks 5-3. The Oilers, who will probably be trying to bolster their roster, will undoubtedly be busy leading up to the March 8 2024 Trade Deadline. According to a recent NHL Rumours column by our own Jim Parsons, the Oilers are reportedly interested in Calgary Flames defender Chris Tanev.
As previously reported in our column, Pierre LeBrun stated that the Flames are looking for a second round selection in addition to an additional asset in exchange for Tanev during a TSN Sportscenter segment. The Oilers have the necessary assets to pull off such a move. Even so, the cost would probably be greater because the Flames and Oilers share a division and are vying for a postseason position. They also have one of the most intense on-ice rivalries in the NHL, known as the Battle of Alberta. The Oilers should try their best to offer the Flames a trade package and upgrade the right side of their blue line if they are prepared to try and make anything work.
In their most recent victory over the Ducks, the Oilers tried out some new defensive pairs, and it appeared to be working nicely. After splitting Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard up at the beginning of the game, head coach Kris Knoblauch opted to pair Darnell Nurse with Vincent Desharnais and Brett Kulak with Cody Ceci. Adding a right-shot defender like Tanev would put them in the same conversation as other contending teams like the Colorado Avalanche, who have Cale Makar, Josh Manson, and Jack Johnson on their right side, and the Vegas Golden Knights, who have Alex Pietrangelo and Kaeden Korczak in their top four. The right side of the blueline is rather weak.
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The Oilers don’t need to worry about upgrading between the pipes since Stuart Skinner’s good comeback season and Calvin Pickard’s unexpectedly strong season have resolved the team’s goaltending dilemma. With Dylan Holloway’s injured comeback and the addition of Corey Perry as a free agent, their forward group has significantly improved. Although they may try to make a few more improvements in their top six forward group, it won’t be their primary goal. Their main problem will be depth on defence, and Tanev would be a nice acquisition and improvement over Ceci.
Chris Tanev: Who Is He?
Tanev, a 6-foot-2, 196-pound right-shot defender, was not selected in the draft and began playing with the Vancouver Canucks in the 2010–11 campaign. During his extensive NHL career, he has only played for the Canucks and Flames. He is an East York, Ontario, native and prospective unrestricted free agent. Tanev has tallied 32 goals and 149 assists for 181 points across 765 NHL games, at an average of 0.24 points per game.
Tanev has never been particularly good offensively, and his career stat line reflects this. Nonetheless, the Oilers ought to strive to get him because to his attractiveness and excellent defensive style. With 144 shot blocks this season, Tanev ranks third in the NHL after Nick Seeler and Jacob Trouba. The Oilers would love to add a player of his calibre to help them make a long playoff run. He has been the top defensive defenseman on the Flames this season and has distinguished himself as one of the NHL’s greatest defensive defenders.
What Would It Cost the Oilers?
The Flames would take Tanev for an additional asset and a second-round selection, based on the reported asking price. But the price will increase due to the competition between the two teams. It appears that Tanev would join the Oilers in exchange for Cody Ceci, Philip Broberg, and the team’s 2024 second-round selection in a possible deal between the two teams. The Oilers get a huge upgrade on the right side of their blue line with this fair contract for both parties.
