Mammoth sign Brandon Tanev to three-year contract

The Utah Mammoth have signed winger Brandon Tanev to a three-year contract with a $2.5 million cap hit.

Tanev was an unrestricted free agent after the conclusion of his six-year contract with a $3.5 million cap hit. The Mammoth bring him in at a deal with half the term at $1 million less on the cap hit, and get a defensive workhorse for their bottom six forward group.

There are no reports of any bonuses or clauses that come with the contract.

Tanev signs at a cap hit percentage of 2.62%, and will be locked up until his age-33 season. Tanev’s cap hit comparables are Casey Cizikas, Joel Armia, Miles Wood, Keegan Kolesar, Brett Howden, Logan O’Connor and Drew O’Connor.

Tanev spent his season split between the Seattle Kraken and the Winnipeg Jets, beginning his year in Seattle. However, the Kraken struggled, and as a pending UFA, it made Tanev expendable at the trade deadline. He was dealt to the Jets, where he spent the first four seasons of his career, and finished out the season there.

Tanev has continued to see his production take steps back after a career year in 2022-23, as he finished last season with 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points in 79 games. However, his production took an even bigger dive in the playoffs, as he was held pointless through two rounds and 13 games of action, the first time in any playoff campaign that that has happened to him. The Jets were eliminated in six games in the second round by the Dallas Stars.

The Kraken have made quite a few moves this offseason, including their big splash of acquiring J.J. Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres. They also sent Mattias Maccelli to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and have signed Nate Schmidt, Kailer Yamamoto, and Scott Perunovich. They have just over $11.5 million in salary cap space, with Jack McBain being their lone remaining restricted free agent.