Tallinder made his professional debut in his native Sweden with
AIK IF in the
Elitserien during the
1996–97 season. Showing elite potential, Tallinder was drafted 48th overall by the
Buffalo Sabres in the
1997 NHL entry draft. After signing with the Buffalo Sabres, Tallinder made his North American debut in the
2001–02 season with AHL affiliate, the
Rochester Americans. He was recalled in his first season appearing in 2 scoreless games for the Sabres. Tallinder suffered a broken left arm in game 3 of the Sabres Eastern Conference finals against the
Carolina Hurricanes and missed the remainder of the
2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs. At the time of the injury, he was tied for the NHL playoff lead in
plus/minus at +14. During the 10th game of the
2006–07 season, Tallinder broke the same arm during a game against the
New York Islanders. During a game against New Jersey on 6 February 2008, he became the first Sabres defenceman to score in a shootout, scoring against
Martin Brodeur. On 1 July 2010, Tallinder signed a four-year, $13.5 million contract with the
New Jersey Devils. On 7 July 2013, Tallinder was traded back to the team that drafted him, the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Riley Boychuk. In September 2014, Tallinder would sign a tryout with the
Toronto Maple Leafs, however, he suffered an injury in a preseason game against his former team, the Sabres, and was ultimately released without a contract. After playing in four games with the
New York Rangers AHL affiliate, the
Hartford Wolf Pack, Tallinder signalled the end of his North American career in returning to Europe and agreeing to a contract with the
ZSC Lions of the
NLA. On October 9, 2018, Tallinder officially announced his retirement after 22 professional seasons. ==International play==