Zadorov was a 5D on a Calgary team that arguably had a more well rounded defense than we do. Their top four as a whole doesn't have the high end talent we have in Hughes, but I like their second pairing better than ours.
Zadorov has been a 5D in Vancouver as well imo.
Tanev is a legit top 4D who is known to be elite defensively, that's why he's highly sought after. He can solidify a defense corp or improve upon it. He's also an RD.
Calgary's ask is supposedly at 2nd+, Toronto doesn't have a 2nd available though so it'd cost them a 1st.
I don't believe it's that Calgary can't get their ask, given how much interest there in in Tanev, more than likely they're simply not in a rush to trade him. There's a better chance they get a higher return closer to the deadline, why settle for a 2nd+ if you could potentially get a 1st?
The idea of Calgary retaining 50% and only getting a 4th and 6th back is laughable. If Calgary retains 50% they could very well get a 1st from a team who fancies themselves a contender. For reference, last deadline the Kings gave up a conditional 1st and a 3rd for a defensive D in Gavrikov and Korpisalo. Chychrun got a conditional 1st and two 2nd's. Ekholm got a 1st and 4th. Orlov and Hathaway garnered a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Craig Smith.
Go back to the season prior and Giordano and Blackwell got the Kraken two 2nd's and a 3rd. We got Dermott for a 3rd. We got a 2nd for Hamonic. Lindholm got the Ducks a 1st, two 2nds, and more. Ben Chiarot of all players got Montreal a 1st, a prospect, and a 4th. Avs paid up a 2nd and Drew Helleson for Manson. Leafs gave up a conditional 2nd and Nick Ritchie for Dzingel and Lyubushkin.
There's no way Tanev returns less than what we paid for Dermott. Some of the players I mentioned are younger, more well rounded players than Tanev, but this season the D trade market is pretty thin. Few top four D to be had, let alone defensive specialists who are also RD.
The ask is supposedly a 2nd+, they'll likely be able to get that if not more from a more desperate team.
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canucks-leafs-aware-flames-price-tanev
https://dailyhive.com/calgary/flames-tanev-trade-interest-teams