Toronto Maple Leafs Acquire Chris Tanev’s Rights from Dallas Stars for Max Ellis and Draft Pick

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a significant move in their quest to strengthen their defensive lineup, acquiring the negotiation rights of veteran defenseman Chris Tanev from the Dallas Stars.

Tanev, a Toronto native with a solid reputation in the NHL for his defensive skills, has been a target for the Leafs as they aim to bolster their blue line ahead of the upcoming season.

The trade, which saw the Maple Leafs send forward Max Ellis and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Dallas Stars, gives Toronto the exclusive window to negotiate a new contract with Tanev before he hits unrestricted free agency.

Represented by agent Wade Arnott, Tanev’s future with the Leafs is still uncertain as there is no finalized agreement in place as of now. General Manager Brad Treliving, who previously signed Tanev during his time with the Calgary Flames, will be leading the negotiations for Toronto.

Having split the 2023-24 season between the Flames and the Stars, Tanev showcased his value as a reliable shutdown defender, contributing 19 points in 75 games and averaging significant ice time each night.

During the Stars’ impressive playoff run to the conference finals, Tanev played a pivotal role, boasting strong possession metrics and helping his team control the flow of play.

The experienced defenseman has enjoyed a lengthy NHL career, having previously played for the Vancouver Canucks before signing his last deal with the Flames in 2020.

On the other end of the trade, Max Ellis, a young forward and pending restricted free agent, will be moving to the Dallas organization. Ellis spent the past season with the AHL‘s Toronto Marlies, showing promise with his offensive capabilities.