Maple Leafs sign Chris Tanev to a huge new contract.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a huge commitment to veteran defenseman Chris Tanev.

According to a breaking news report from National Hockey League insider Elliotte Friedman, the Maple Leafs have signed the 34 year old defenseman to a new 6 year contract. Additionally, Friedman reports that the average annual value and cap hit of this deal will come it at $4.5 million per season.

That is a huge commitment to a player of Tanev's age, especially when you consider the very physical/gritty style of play that Tanev brings to the table, and it sounds like it will be the kind of commitment that won't be easily remedied should things not work out in the long run.

Friedman reports that this deal contains a full no-movement clause throughout all 6 years of the deal, which means the Maple Leafs would need Tanev's approval before making any kind of move, and it also comes heavily loaded with signing bonuses. 80% of the money in the deal is in the form of signing bonuses according to the NHL insider, meaning that it will effectively be impossible to buy Tanev out of this contract as well.

There were a ton of teams in the NHL vying for Tanev's services this summer but it has been clear from the start that Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has wanted this player. On Saturday, Treliving and the Maple Leafs made the move to acquire Tanev's rights from the Dallas Stars, giving up a 7th round pick in 2026 and forward Max Ellis in order to do so.

NHL insider Pierre LeBrun reported at the time of the trade that there was no deal in place between Tanev and the Maple Leafs, something that no doubt gave both player and his agent considerable leverage in negotiations over the past two days.

Only time will tell if this gamble pays off for Treliving and the Maple Leafs.