With negotiations between Chris Tanev and the Vancouver Canucks at a standstill, multiple reports surfaced Monday that the defenceman has received significant interest from overseas.
News 1130 Sports reported that the Kontinental Hockey League is eyeing Tanev, and Jim Jamieson of the Vancouver Province tweeted that, according to Tanev’s agent, the 23-year-old has received interest from both the KHL and Swiss Elite League.
Although it is not uncommon for an NHL player to sign an overseas contract, floating out such information can be used a ploy to restart negotiations with the player’s NHL club.
The Ontario-born Tanev scored two goals and added five assists in 38 games played for the Canucks, his third with the team that signed him out of college in 2010.
Tanev’s three-year deal with the Canucks, which carried a $900,000 cap hit, expired on July 5, making him a restricted free agent with no arbitration rights.
The Canucks are up against the salary cap this summer. The club has just $4.35 million remaining to play with heading into 2013-14, according to capgeek.com.