Maple Leafs have traded for defenseman Chris Tanev.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired defenseman Chris Tanev.

National Hockey League insider Elliotte Friedman is reporting that the Toronto Maple Leafs have struck a deal with the Dallas Stars to acquire the rights to defenseman Chris Tanev. The Dallas Stars will receive a draft pick as compensation.

Tanev is technically still under contract but will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st, so clearly the Maple Leafs feel like they can get him signed to a new deal in very short order.

There have reportedly been a number of teams interested in signing Tanev as a free agent, but this trade would seemingly make the Maple Leafs the clear front runners for his services.

Tanev has a pre-existing relationship with Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving from their time together as members of the Calgary Flames, which gives the Maple Leafs another potential advantage in these negotiations.

Stay tuned for more details.