Given the comparables around the league, Tanev is probably worth somewhere in the neighbourhood of $1.1m. However, his agent could easily look to the Canucks salary structure as the basis for Tanev's salary, in that case Tanev is worth much more.
2008-2009
Upper Cap Limit: $56.7m
Shane O'Brien was the Canucks #6 defenseman, behind Mitchell, Ohlund, Salo, Bieksa, Edler, with a cap hit of $950k or 1.7% of the upper limit.
2009-2010
Upper Cap Limit: $56.8m
Shane O'Brien was the Canucks #6 defenseman, behind Mitchell, Ehrhoff, Salo, Bieksa, Edler, with a cap hit of $1.6m or 2.8% of the upper limit. One could argue Shane was also behind Aaron Rome or Andrew Alberts on the depth chart, but that is reaching as they had yet to take on permanent roles on the team. O'Brien played more game than both Rome and Alberts combined and had a higher average TOI.
2010-2011
Upper Cap Limit: $59.4m
Aaron Rome was the Canucks #6 defenseman, behind Hamhuis, Ehrhoff, Salo, Bieksa, Edler, with a cap hit of $750k or 1.3% of the upper limit.
Keith Ballard was the Canucks #7 defenseman, with a cap hit of $4.2m or 7% of the upper limit.
Andrew Alberts was the Canucks #8 defenseman, with a cap hit of $1.05m or 1.8% of the upper limit.
2011-2012
Upper Cap Limit: $64.3m
Keith Ballard was the Canucks #6 defenseman, behind Hamhuis, Salo, Bieksa, Edler, Tanev, with a cap hit of $4.2m or 6.5% of the upper limit.
Aaron Rome was the Canucks #7 defenseman, with a cap hit of $750k or 1.2% of the upper limit.
Andrew Alberts was the Canucks #8 defenseman, with a cap hit of $1.225m or 1.9% of the upper limit.
2012-2013
Upper Cap Limit: $70.2m
Keith Ballard was the Canucks #6 defenseman, behind Hamhuis, Garrison, Bieksa, Edler, Tanev, with a cap hit of $4.2m or 6% of the upper limit.
Andrew Alberts was the Canucks #7 defenseman, with a cap hit of $1.225m or 1.7% of the upper limit.
Analysis:
Shane O'Brien was the Canucks #6 defenseman for two seasons, he made approx. 2.25% of the salary cap. In the 2013-2014 season that would be 1.45m.
Keith Ballard was the Canucks #6/7 defenseman for three seasons, he made approx. 6.5% of the salary cap. In the 2013-2014 season that would be 4.18m. This was an overpayment, as evidenced by his buyout.
Aaron Rome was the Canucks #6/7 defenseman for two+ seasons, he made approx. 1.25% of the salary cap. In the 2013-2014 season that would be 800k.
Andrew Alberts was the Canucks #7/8 defenseman for three+ seasons, he made approx. 1.8% of the salary cap. In the 2013-2014 season that would be 1.16m.
So we could potentially argue the following salary structure:
#6: 2.25%
#7: 1.80%
#8: 1.25%
Keep in mind that management does not know who will be where on the depth chart when signing contracts, some guess work is involved. Also note that Ballard's numbers have been omitted in the interest of fairness.
Where does that leave Tanev, who has been the Canucks #5 defenseman for approx. one and a half seasons? Given the salary structure, and every bit of evidence to suggest the Canucks only have four defensemen above Tanev on the depth chart (Hamhuis, Garrison, Bieksa, Elder), this would seem to indicate Tanev's salary should be greater than 2.25% of the upper limit, or greater than $1.45m. Given this analysis, and completely disregarding the signings of other teams/the new CBA/the lowering cap causing teams financial problems, I would argue Tanev's value would fall in the $1.5m - $2.0m range.
If we were to argue that Ballard was supposed to be the Canucks #5 defenseman and that is why he was allowed to make 'top 4' money, then the projection for Tanev would be that much higher, I would possibly be willing to go as high as $2.5m, keeping in mind Ballard was older and had more NHL experience at the time he was brought in by the team. Personally, I think that is a weak argument as I feel Ballard was brought in to take Hamhuis' spot (insurance in case he couldn't be signed) and the back up plan was for Ballard to replace Bieksa, therefore he was brought in as a top 4 and his cap hit should not be compared to Tanev, who is not considered a top 4 on this team at this time.