Report: Maple Leafs Continue to Pursue Flames’ Chris Tanev, More Learned About Failed Trade to Acquire Him And Nikita Zadorov
Report: Maple Leafs continue to pursue Flames Chris Tanev and learn more about failed trade to acquire him and Nikita Zadorov.
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to search for a defenseman.
In the latest “32 Thoughts” segment on Hockey Night in Canada, Sportsnet’s Elliott Friedman added to Kevin Weeks’ report earlier this week about Flames defenseman Nikita Zadorov and Toronto’s efforts to acquire Chriss. Tanev. “As I understand it, the issue here is that the Maple Leafs and Flames can’t agree on what it would cost Calgary to retain 50 percent of both players’ salaries,” Friedman said. “I don’t know what percentage Toronto was asking for. It was up to 50 percent and neither side could get that compensation, other than player compensation.”
The Flames traded Zadorov to the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday for a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft and a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The Flames were unable to retain Zadorov’s $3.75 million cap hit in the trade.
The Leafs have not signed Zadorov, but are interested in signing Toronto native Tanev. Friedman suggested Toronto could take longer to reach a deal once the player’s salary reaches $4.5 million.
“I think the Toronto Maple Leafs like a shooting guard on the right side and are looking for a player with a little more upside,” Friedman said of Tanev. The Leafs are also awaiting clarity on the status of John Klingberg. The defenseman is on long-term injured reserve with a groin injury. After Toronto’s easy 4-3 loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday, Keef was asked about the 31-year-old’s status, but had nothing to share.
If Klingberg chooses to have hip surgery and is ruled out for the season, Toronto will have $4.15 million in salary cap space to fully utilize and won’t have to worry about finding cap space to activate him later in the regular season. But if Klingberg avoids surgery and tries to return this season, the Leafs won’t have the same flexibility and will have to find cap space elsewhere to add another blueliner.
This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Maple Leafs and is republished with permission.
