In a surprising move, the Dallas Stars have traded the rights of right-handed defenseman Chris Tanev to the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second day of the NHL draft. Tanev, who had a strong performance in the playoffs, was expected to be one of the top targets in the free agency market this offseason.

The Stars received forward Max Ellis and a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NHL draft in exchange for Tanev. The Maple Leafs now have exclusive rights to sign Tanev before Monday, with the ability to offer him a maximum eight-year deal. However, as of now, no agreement has been finalized between Tanev and Toronto.

If Toronto fails to reach an agreement with Tanev, there is a possibility for him to re-sign with Dallas starting on Monday. However, given the limited cap space and the team's need to fill multiple roster spots, it is unlikely that the Stars will be able to compete in a bidding war.

Dallas Stars' General Manager Jim Nill expressed his desire to have Tanev back, but acknowledged the challenge of fitting him into the team's financial plans. The move to trade Tanev's rights suggests that the Stars knew their chances of retaining him were slim after weeks of negotiations and opted to receive something in return before his contract expired.

In addition to Max Ellis, the Stars also acquired a low draft pick in two years. Ellis, a 24-year-old right winger, played in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies for the past two seasons. He scored four goals and recorded 10 assists in 36 games last year.

Tanev's acquisition by the Stars at the trade deadline had an instant impact on the team's defensive performance. Before his arrival, the Stars ranked 14th in goals-against per game, but climbed to second in the league for the last month of the regular season and finished fifth in the playoffs.

With Tanev's departure, the Stars will have to fill the void on the right side of their defense. The team has not re-signed any right-handed defensemen from last year's roster, leaving Miro Heiskanen as their only signed defenseman, although he is a left-handed shot. Options in the free agency market include highly sought-after right-handed defensemen such as Brett Pesce, Matt Roy, and Brady Montour.

As the Stars look to make external moves to address their defensive needs, General Manager Jim Nill, who has won back-to-back NHL General Manager of the Year awards, may have another plan up his sleeve.

It remains to be seen where Chris Tanev will ultimately sign, but with his impressive playoff performance and strong market value, there are sure to be plenty of teams vying for his services. The next few days will determine the future of the talented defenseman and where he will make his mark in the NHL.