Former Dallas Stars defenseman Chris Tanev was signed by the Toronto Maple Leafs to the sixth-largest contract of the summer.

The Maple Leafs outbid the Stars by a total of $12 million and defeated every other team attempting to contract the blueliner with a longer term, according to Toronto Star source Nick Kypreos.

Kypreos stated, “Give respect to [Maple Leafs GM Brad] Treliving…] After failing to acquire Tanev many times at the trade deadline, he eventually landed him with a six-year, $27-million contract.” “Tanev found a way to close the deal, even though many other teams were eager to give him a larger wage with a shorter term.”

Kypreos disclosed later in his piece that Tanev was only extended an offer by the Stars for $15 million over three years, or an average of $5 million each year. Although the Leafs’ offer fell short of that AAV, which is estimated to be worth $4.5 million year, Tanev was unable to turn down the sum of money.

However, Tanev’s deal with Toronto was listed as one of the “Honourable Mentions” for the “worst contracts” inked in 2024 by Daily Faceoff’s Scott Maxwell.

“It’s not a bad addition, but the deal feels like a lose because it’s so over market value,” Maxwell wrote. In a vacuum, Chris Tanev is the ideal addition for the Leafs to address their defence problems, but giving the 34-year-old a six-year contract is

“Sure, it can be LTIRed down the road if he gets hurt, but signing someone to a long-term deal in the hopes that he doesn’t play the full term out isn’t really the big-brained move a lot of Leafs fans seem to think it is.”

Chris Tanev’s Signing Labeled ‘Risky’

A few hours before the Dallas Stars’ trade for Tanev’s negotiating rights opened up free agency, Toronto acquired Tanev. He was subsequently signed to a massive six-year, $27 million contract that extends until his age-40 season.

Tanev, who is already 34 years old, has injury worries associated with his name and background. According to NHL expert Chris Johnston, this makes Tanev a “risky” addition.