The Vancouver Canucks have re-signed defenseman Chris Tanev to a five-year contract extension. Tanev, 25, was due to become a restricted free agent in July.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tanev’s new deal is reportedly worth $4.45 million per season, more than doubling his current salary of $2 million. It’s the first multi-year contract he’s had with the Canucks since his entry-level contract, having previously re-signed two one-year deals. This deal makes him their fourth-highest paid blueliner in annual salary.
Tanev has developed into a solid top-four defenseman for the Canucks. This season, he’s been paired with Alexander Edler, netting 16 points in 60 games while logging over 21 minutes of ice time per game. He also leads the Canucks in blocked shots with 153.
Only 25, Tanev still has room to develop. With veterans like Kevin Bieksa and Dan Hamhuis getting long in the tooth, the Canucks will need someone like Tanev to eventually replace one of those aging blueliners in the near future. Looking him up to a long-term deal was a wise move. It may seem a tad expensive, but it could be worth every penny in the coming years.
In days passed it would be difficult to describe or better still prove the players worth. Now with “new statistic” era upon us describing such a player ( and other’s I’m sure ) is becoming easier. With Corsi and Fenwicks etc etc agents can now PROVE his value. He doesn’t put up many great offensive stats but in the new era his stats will be measured in a different way. He’s a good player for sure and that bring him to his thirties before the next contract by which time players such as Hutton and others may be pushing for his spot
Nice its only a 5 year deal, for a 25 year old guy at under 5 mill for a decent top 4…I like this deal for the Canucks.