When Chris Tanev signed in Calgary in the off-season I was included in the (many) skeptical critics that questioned the signing. Some of the common critiques were:
- “It’s too long of a contract”
- “He’s already a declining asset”
- “His hair is better than mine”
- “Why didn’t they just re-sign Brodie?”
All valid concerns based on the data available and his more recent history of play in Vancouver. Chris Tanev didn’t care, he came to Calgary to work. He worked so hard he ended up recording the second best even strength defensive impact of any defenceman in the modern analytical era (2007-08 to 2020-21) and clearly led this season leaving second place in the dust – all while playing half the year with broken ribs.