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Brandon Tanev signed

Veteran Forward Inks New Deal

A veteran NHL forward has a new contract. News emerged that winger Brandon Tanev has signed a new deal with the Utah Mammoth. This deal is for three years and has a contract value of $ 7.5 million. The contract carries and average cap hit of $2.5 million and runs through the end of 2027-28 season.

Brandon Tanev Signed by the Utah Mammoth

Tanev has played for the Winnipeg Jets, Pittsburgh Penguins and the Seattle Kraken across his decade-long NHL career. This season, he registered 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points in 79 games. He averaged an ice time of 13 minutes, 14 second this season. The 33-year-old had a Corsi for of 44.7 and a relative Corsi of -7.6.

Tanev has 84 goals and 96 assists for 180 points in 552 career games. The Toronto native signed with Winnipeg as an undrafted free agent out of Providence College, where he played four seasons for the Friars. He spent the 2016-17 alternating between the Jets and the AHL Manitoba Moose. However, he finally stuck the next season and has been an NHLer since.

The veteran forward was selected by the Kraken in the expansion draft and became a fan favourite thanks to his funny head shot photos. Tanev returned to the Jets after being dealt by the Kraken at the deadline. He’s also the brother of fellow NHLer Chris Tanev.

What It Means

Tanev may not score a lot of goals. However, he is still a useful forward. His career-high in goals was 16 with Seattle in 2022-23, but he’s more known for his defensive prowess.

That skill has made him a coveted asset. He may be in his 30s, but Tanev can still contribute to a roster. He’ll get a chance to be a solid depth forward.

Wingers like Tanev can help rosters win games and that’s what he’s done at all his stops in the league so far. Let’s see if he can help this team out late in games.

Main photo by: Terrence Lee-Imagn Images

About Dan Mount, Editor

Longtime sportswriter for the Watertown Daily Times. I have covered minor league and NCAA hockey in women's Division I and men's Division III. Also produce the nationally-syndicated Spadora on Sports radio show.