Chris Tanev said he wants to re-sign with the Vancouver Canucks, who want to keep the possible unrestricted free agent defenseman.
"I've been here now for 10 years and I've loved every minute of it," Tanev told Sportsnet in remarks published Friday. "There's definitely a trust between me and management and the ownership group, which has been awesome to me. Whether it's one year or many years, I'd love to play my whole career here. Who knows what's going to happen. But I love it here, I want to stay here …"
Tanev scored 118 points (22 goals, 96 assists) in 514 NHL games since joining Vancouver as a college free agent in the offseason prior to 2010-11. This season, the 30-year-old scored 20 points (two goals, 18 assists), often paired with defenseman Quinn Hughes, who is a contender for the Calder Trophy given to the NHL rookie of the year.
"There are guys who really help other players along, and I would say Chris Tanev is one of those guys," Vancouver general manager Jim Benning said. "I'd like to try to figure out a way to bring Chris back because I think he's a good leader and our younger players look up to him. He was an excellent mentor to Quinn Hughes. On the ice, they played really well together. I think they help each other."
Tanev said he is aware that with the NHL season paused since March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus, the free agent market this offseason will be different than others (his five-year contract was set to expire June 30). He said he might be willing to sign a one-year contract and then revisit the situation after next season.
"You have to deal with what gets thrown your way," Tanev said.
Vancouver (36-27-6, .565 points percentage) finished seventh in the Western Conference and will play the Minnesota Wild (10th, 35-27-7, .558) in the best-of-5 Qualifying Round of the NHL Return to Play Plan. The winner will reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Tanev played every game for the Canucks this season but injured his knee in the final game before the pause. He said he needed about two weeks to recover and will be ready when play resumes. A date or location has not been announced.
"I think the team is going in the right direction, and if we come back to play this year, I think we're going to have a real good shot at competing and going far," he said. "I'd like to be part of that in the future."
The only kids Chris Tanev has are the ones on his hockey team, so the @Canucks veteran has felt a little like an empty-nester during the NHL's shutdown.
