Stars get Chris Tanev from Flames as part of 3-team trade - ESPN

The Dallas Stars addressed what was arguably their biggest need Wednesday when they acquired defenseman Chris Tanev as part of a three-team trade with the Calgary Flames and the New Jersey Devils.

In total, the Stars received Tanev and the rights to University of Massachusetts prospect goaltender Cole Brady. The Flames, who will retain 50% of Tanev's salary, received prospect defenseman Artem Grushnikov from the Stars along with their 2024 second-round pick and a 2026 conditional third-round pick.

The Devils received the Stars' 2026 fourth-round pick for serving as a third-party broker that retained 50% of Tanev's salary.

The conditions of the 2026 third-round pick are that the Flames will receive that draft pick if the Stars advance to this year's Stanley Cup Final. If the Stars do not reach the Cup Final, then no additional pick is transferred from Dallas to Calgary, according to the Stars.

Dallas was among the teams believed to have interest in Tanev, who will be a pending unrestricted free agent, ahead of the NHL trade deadline on March 8. The Stars had gone with a top defensive pairing that featured Thomas Harley and Miro Heiskanen with Heiskanen, a left-handed shot, playing on his off side.

Getting Tanev, who is a right-handed shot, now means the Stars can return Heiskanen to his natural side. Furthermore, a Heiskanen-Tanev partnership potentially gives the Stars an even more formidable top pairing that will be tasked with consistently facing and shutting down opponents' top lines.

It's a partnership that could also play a role in the Stars' bid to reach the Stanley Cup Final after having lost in six games last season to the eventual champion Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference finals. Entering