The Dallas Stars made their first trade of the season on Wednesday night, agreeing to a three-team deal with the Calgary Flames and the New Jersey Devils.
The trade was broken into three parts. New Jersey sent unsigned drafted goalie Cole Brady to Calgary in exchange for defenseman Chris Tanev, who was then traded to Dallas for a 2026 draft pick. Brady also ended up in Dallas, and defenseman Artem Grushnikov and multiple draft picks are headed to Calgary. However, if the Stars reach the Stanley Cup Final, only one draft pick will go to the Flames.
Tanev is the trade’s headliner as a 14-year NHL veteran and one of the league’s top shot-blocking defensemen. He has played in 41 playoff games throughout his career and will bring a veteran presence to the Dallas blue line.
“We are fortunate to have the opportunity to add a player of Chris’ caliber to our team,” Stars general manager Jim Nill said in a press release. “He is a proven defenseman with postseason experience that is comfortable in all situations on the ice. Chris is one of the best penalty killers in the NHL and will be a tremendous asset to our special teams play.”
According to the press release, both the Devils and the Flames have agreed to pay portions of Tanev’s salary, leaving the Stars on the hook for just 25% of it for the rest of the season.
Brady, meanwhile, was a 2019 draft pick by New Jersey and currently plays for the University of Massachusetts, where he has a 4-2-2 record with a 3.04 goals-against average and .886 save percentage.
The Stars made the deal ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline at 2 p.m. CT on Friday, March 8.
Tanev is scheduled to meet with local media at 3 p.m. CT on Thursday and could make his team debut on Saturday against the San Jose Sharks.