Canucks: What should they do with Chris Tanev?

Sign Tanev

With the Canucks appearing to be a bubble team until the very end, Benning’s career situation likely makes him more of a buyer than a seller at the deadline. Unless the Canucks quickly fall out of playoff position, Benning should approach Tanev on discussing a contract extension.

If Tanev manages to post a fully healthy season playing 82 games while putting up numbers and big minutes beside Hughes, he spikes his value and the negotiations probably start at no less than $5 million. Tanev will be looking for his last long-term deal, and he could use his chemistry with Hughes as a negotiating tactic.

Going long-term with Tanev would be a gamble considering his career full of injuries, but this would tip the scales in Benning’s favour to negotiate a lower annual salary. If Benning gets it right, the two sides could agree on a deal somewhere in the ballpark of $20 to 22 million over four or five years.

From what I see, Tanev likes playing for Vancouver and he would like to re-up. At 30 years of age, playing with Hughes might be what’s best for Tanev and his quest to win a Stanley Cup. At this point in his career, it would be the wrong move to walk away and try and win in another NHL city. The Canucks’ cup window is about to open and Tanev is going to want to be a part of that.

Trade Tanev

With the Canucks vowing to make the playoffs this season, there’s no way Benning moves Tanev at the deadline unless Vancouver goes on a skid that sinks their playoff hopes. Only then will Benning consider putting his best defensive player on the trade block to try and find a valuable return.

With no first-round pick in one of the next two drafts (because of the J.T. Miller trade) and a lack of top-four depth on defence, Benning will put a hefty price tag on the defender. Nothing sells for more than a defenceman, especially around playoff time.

Packaging Tanev with another player to grab a late first-round pick would be a home run return. But realistically, Benning is more likely to only fetch a second-round selection. Anything less and it’s not a good idea.

The Pittsburgh Penguins strike me as a good fitting trade partner. Relying on Sidney Crosby all these years, the Penguins have won cups by trading picks for secondary help before playoff runs. With Tanev’s brother, Brandon Tanev freshly signed long-term with the Penguins, trading Chris to join his brother and thus earn the chance to win the Cup might be of interest for all parties.

Final thoughts

Benning has some big decisions to make in the near future. Tanev is a big part of the Vancouver organization, and it looks like he has plenty more to bring to the table.

Whether or not that’s with the Canucks remains to be seen, but Benning cannot afford to mess this up. His career might depend on it.