The Maple Leafs got a welcome sight on Monday as Chris Tanev joined the team on the ice at practice ahead of their game against Calgary, though he was wearing a red non-contact jersey.
That alone was a big step for Toronto’s blue line. Tanev had been expected to miss upwards of six weeks, so seeing him skate with the group was an encouraging sign at just the right time. The Leafs are riding four straight wins, even if the season hasn’t been flawless, and they now face a Flames team that has won three in a row and four of its last five.
Tanev’s return would matter. Toronto has managed well in his absence during week two of his injury, but he gives the defense a steadier look and seems to be the piece that holds the unit together.
Through six games, Tanev has one assist and 14 blocks, which works out to more than two blocks a night. That’s exactly the kind of impact the Leafs were expecting when they brought him in. The bigger question is what happens if he misses time again.
There’s always the chance Tanev comes back and gives Toronto the defensive stability it needs. But that hope comes with a major caveat, because health has followed him around as a problem for years.
Last season, he played only 11 games before multiple injuries sidelined him. Before arriving in Toronto, he also dealt with injuries in Vancouver and Calgary, including a broken finger and two separate ailments that kept him out for more than 10 games at a time.
Over his career, Tanev has missed 245 regular-season games, which means he has appeared in just 63.4% of his possible career games. Since joining the Maple Leafs, he has already missed 85 games. Toronto clearly benefits when he’s available, but the track record says the team may need to think about a Plan B.
In Other News...
Maple Leafs Face One Big Trade Question On Their Blue Line
The Maple Leafs blue line remains a clear area of focus as the front office looks for a way to make the defense harder to play against. General manager John Chayka is reportedly searching for a defender who can handle top-four minutes, stay at home, and help the club move the puck out of its own zone more cleanly.
What makes this search especially interesting is the type of player Toronto appears to have in mind, the kind who can steady the back end without needing to carry the offense. Simon Edvinsson and Adam Pelech have been mentioned among the possible targets, but nothing has been finalized yet, leaving the Leafs with a familiar question: how far will they go to solve that side of the ice? [Read more 🡒]
Oilers May Regret Letting This Depth Defenseman Get Away
Troy Stechers move from Edmonton to Toronto last November looked like a depth swap at the time, but it has played out as one of those quiet roster decisions that can linger all season. Claimed off waivers by the Maple Leafs, the veteran defenseman has found a clearer path into the lineup and has been able to contribute more than he did with the Oilers, where his role never really took hold.
For Toronto, the timing has mattered as much as the player. Injuries on the blue line have opened the door for Stecher to see more ice and even chip in offensively, giving the Leafs an extra option on the back end when they needed one. For Edmonton, it is a reminder that a useful depth defender can look a lot more valuable once he lands in a situation with a real opportunity to play. [Read more 🡒]
Hurricanes Just Missed On A Goalie Move Fans Will Feel
The goaltending market was active enough to leave a ripple far beyond Carolina, where the Hurricanes explored several ways to land Connor Hellebuyck but never got close enough to Winnipegs asking price. For Toronto fans watching the rest of the league move around the crease, it is the kind of deal that matters even when it does not involve the Maple Leafs directly, because it shapes the competition the Leafs may see down the road.
What made the pursuit sting for Carolina was how close it appears to have come before the price climbed out of reach, with the Jets driving a hard bargain as the Devils ultimately completed the move. For a Leafs team always tracking how the top Eastern rivals improve, it is another reminder that one bold front-office decision can change the balance of power, even if the original suitor walks away empty-handed. [Read more 🡒]