BREAKING: Brandon Tanev traded to Winnipeg Jets for second-round pick

As expected, Brandon Tanev has been traded to the Winnipeg Jets for a second-round pick in 2027, as reported by Darren Dreger. Tanev was held out of Thursday night’s game in Nashville for trade-related purposes while this deal was finalized. It’s a homecoming, in a way, for Tanev, who spent parts of the first four seasons of his NHL career in Winnipeg.

The second-round pick is a solid return for Tanev. The Kraken will have to wait until 2027 to use it, but like the picks acquired in the Yanni Gourde/Oliver Bjorkstrand trade, it could also serve as a valuable asset in a future trade.

Tanev was the Seattle Kraken’s 2021 Expansion Draft selection from the Pittsburgh Penguins and has been with the team since its inaugural season. He has appeared in 238 games for Seattle, tallying 83 points (41 goals, 42 assists) and also played in all 14 Kraken playoff games, contributing four points (one goal, three assists). One of his most memorable goals for the Kraken was a shorthanded tally in Game 2 of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Colorado Avalanche. The Kraken won the series but lost that game 3-2, though Tanev’s celebration lives on.

See more

2-0 #SeaKraken

Shorty by Tanev. Incredible work in the D Zone by Gourde to get the puck headed north and then to set up the score.

Two helpers for 37 already pic.twitter.com/EJxMIYQxzE

— Alison (@AlisonL) April 21, 2023

Tanev’s skill set

Tanev was not known for his scoring contributions but rather for his high-energy and physical play, which earned him the nickname “Turbo.” The fast-skating Tanev ranks in the 91st percentile in the NHL for speed bursts over 20 mph, according to NHL Edge data as of March 6.

In addition to his speed, Tanev was a key penalty killer, leading all Kraken forwards in average shorthanded ice time (2:19) since the inaugural season. He was a fixture on the penalty kill and will be missed.

Defensively, Tanev leaves Seattle as the franchise leader among forwards in both blocked shots (243) and hits (558). These stats underscore the heart and effort he brought to the ice, which is why he became a fan favorite in Seattle.

See more

#SeaKraken WIN their last game of the season, 4-3 over the #mnwild.

Nice sellout by Beniers and Tanev to block the final shot.

Seattle could have locked up the eighth-best odds in the draft lottery with a loss but now need help from CGY. pic.twitter.com/IteBHvortu

— Sound Of Hockey (@sound_hockey) April 19, 2024

Fourth-line shakeup

This season, Tanev primarily played as a fourth-line winger. With Jordan Eberle easing back into the lineup and rotating between the third and fourth lines, he was bound to return to a top-six role. Oliver Bjorkstrand’s trade to the Tampa Bay Lightning accelerated that transition, as Eberle joined the second line against the Nashville Predators on Thursday night. Jacob Melanson, Ben Meyers, and Mikey Eyssimont formed the fourth line in that game, while Tanev sat out for trade-related reasons. The trio was noticeable as a true fourth line.

Tye Kartye was recalled from his stint in Coachella Valley and will likely slot back in as well, meaning the fourth line will be a rotating mix of players. As the season winds down, expect more call-ups from Coachella Valley to give young prospects valuable NHL experience. Players like Jani Nyman (“Li’l Jani”) and Ryan Winterton could see ice time before the year is up.

The Tanev trade is no surprise

Hockey is a business, and while it’s tough to see original Kraken players leave, there were indications that Tanev was unlikely to re-sign with Seattle after this season. In that context, getting a valuable asset in return is a positive. The Kraken continue their push to improve and get younger, and this move aligns with that objective.