Report: Canucks set to begin 'serious contract talks' with Chris Tanev this week

Are the Vancouver Canucks finally ready to commit to steady two-way defenseman Chris Tanev with a long-term contract?

It would appear that the Canucks are at least prepared to sit down and discuss the matter seriously with Tanev's representatives shortly.

"It sounds like serious contract talks with (Tanev) will begin this week," Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported during Hockey Night in Canada's "Headlines" segment on Saturday.

Friedman's report echoes comments made by Canucks general manager Jim Benning in an appearance on TSN 1040 in Vancouver earlier this week.

"We've had preliminary talks with his agent and we'll continue with those talks," Benning said of Tanev on Friday. "He's played real well for us, with him and Alex Edler – they've been a real good matchup pair for us playing against the other team's top line. So we'll get something figured out with him."

Tanev, 25, has signed two consecutive one-year contracts since his entry-level deal expired in the summer of 2013. He's managed two goals and 11 points this season while playing first-pairing minutes at even strength and leading all Canucks skaters in short-handed minutes played.