Vancouver Canucks: Extending now Chris Tanev worth exploring
By Alex Hoegler
If the Vancouver Canucks aren’t willing to trade Chris Tanev, then it’s up to general manager Jim Benning to reach a long-term extension with his top defenceman.
The Vancouver Canucks don’t have many quality veteran trade chips, but blueliner Chris Tanev could certainly bring back a nice return if general manager Jim Benning decides to shop the 28-year-old.
Thing is, the Canucks have shown zero indication that they’re willing to trade Tanev. Unless Benning gets a mind-blowing offer for the shutdown blueliner, Tanev is here to stay for at least 2018-19.
And there’s nothing wrong with the Canucks keeping Tanev around for next season. But if Benning is completely unmotivated to shop Tanev, then it’s time to talk extension with the man who is only signed for two more years at a $4.45 million cap hit.
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Extending Tanev this time won’t be so cheap. Three years ago, Vancouver got him to sign a team-friendly five-year, $22.25 million contract.
Given the way he’s played over the last three years, it’s not crazy to think Tanev could demand $5.5 million a season. Maybe even more.
That’s fine if he wants to ask for more money, and the Canucks should oblige. Unless Olli Juolevi suddenly develops faster, the Canucks don’t have any blueliners in the system that are near NHL-ready.
Alexander Edler is a free agent next offseason, and it’s not crazy to think he could chase more money elsewhere in the summer of 2019 — if he hasn’t been traded yet.
The Canucks have plenty of cap space to work with, thanks to the Sedins’ retirement. Barring an extension, Edler comes off the books next year. So does Michael Del Zotto, and the Canucks will have plenty of cash to fill the holes on the blue line.
So again: If the Canucks decide they’re not trading Tanv, then there’s no reason to wait around. They need to get him under contract as soon as possible. This will help Benning plan out his next moves, knowing how much cap space he can work with this summer and next.
An extension for Tanev could be something in the neighborhood of five-to-six years worth around $5.5 million annually. That’s worth it, given how hard it is to find bonafide shutdown blueliners in today’s NHL.
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Now’s the time for Benning to sit down with Tanev and his agent and work out a new deal. You don’t want to wait this situation out. Decide if he’s staying here for the duration of his contract. And if that’s the case, extend him.