Troubling News for Maple Leafs' D, After Chris Tanev Leaves Arena in Sling
Chris Tanev has been exactly what the Toronto Maple Leafs signed up for when they gave the shot-blocking defenseman a huge free agent deal last summer. His colleague on the blueline, Morgan Rielly, calls Tanev “One of the best D-men in the league, in my opinion."
Which makes the scene of Tanev leaving the arena after last night's game in Boston with his arm in a sling that much more troubling.
Chris Tanev was seen leaving TD Garden with his right arm in a sling, per @lukefoxjukebox.
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 26, 2025
Tanev left tonight's game after this play in the first period. pic.twitter.com/pf51XuVPTc
He was injured when he was taken into the end boards by 6'3", 200-pound Bruins center John Beecher, and came away with his right arm in obvious pain.
Tanev is a warrior, as we've all seen throughout his career, so the Leafs are certainly hoping that he won't be out for long.
“Just his grit and his toughness,” goalie Anthony Stolarz said, per Luke Fox of Sportsnet. “I mean, you look at the way that he blocks shots, the way he is fearless in front of the net."
They got some potentially hopeful news midday on Wednesday, as head coach Craig Berube calls Tanev "day to day." There's that 'warrior' thing again.
Tanev sacrifices his body like no other player, and with 151 shot blocks, he ranks third in the NHL. As Leaf fans have seen, he even eats rubber with his face and still keeps coming back for more.
Tanev also serves a key role on the penalty kill, and generally matches up against the league's best on a nightly basis.
The news that he's "day to day", of course, doesn't guarantee a swift return, as the Leafs have had some "day to day" injuries this season stretch out much longer than that (see: Matthews, Auston).
