Stars acquire Tanev from Flames in 3-team trade

The Stars (35-17-9) are currently tied for first in the Central Division with the Winnipeg Jets, who have four games in hand. Dallas is 14th in the NHL in goals against per game (3.03).

“We are fortunate to have the opportunity to add a player of Chris’ caliber to our team,” Stars general manager Jim Nill said. “He is a proven defenseman with postseason experience that is comfortable in all situations on the ice. Chris is one of the best penalty killers in the NHL and will be a tremendous asset to our special teams play.”

Grushnikov, 20, has five points (one goal, four assists) in 44 games with Texas of the American Hockey League this season. He was selected in the second round (No. 48) of the 2021 NHL Draft.

The Flames (29-25-5), who have won four in a row, are five points behind the Nashville Predators for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Western Conference.

“Obviously, Chris, what he’s meant to the organization and what he’s done for us over the four years, it’s never easy to kind of let guys go, but we also knew it was something we had to do,” Flames general manager Craig Conroy told NHL.com. “To move forward, we worked through lots of calls with different teams to figure out what’s the best thing for the Calgary Flames in what we’re trying to do and trying to accomplish here. To be able to get Artem Grushnikov, he’s a young, 20-year-old kind of defensive defenseman that is good on the penalty kill, strong, just a solid all-around defender. … I think he’s someone we’re happy to add to the group.”

The Devils (30-25-4) are five points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for the second wild card from the Eastern Conference with two games in hand.

NHL.com independent correspondent Aaron Vickers contributed to this report.