Maple Leafs Reveal Update On The Status Of Chris Tanev's Injury

Ahead of the Toronto Maple Leafs' morning skate session in preparation for hosting the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday at Scotiabank Arena, the team provided an update on the status of defenseman Chris Tanev.

Tanev left the game early on Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche, playing just five shifts and 3:29 of ice time before being unable to return for Toronto.

The team revealed that Tanev's status is week-to-week with an upper-body injury. But it was also made clear that the Leafs haven't placed him on LTIR.

The 36-year-old has featured in just six games this season, providing one assist and is the team's joint leader in blocks alongside Jake McCabe with 14.

His six appearances this season are five fewer than in his 2025-26 campaign. Tanev played 11 games last season, dealing with multiple injuries, including spine trauma and undergoing core muscle surgery later in the year.

Tanev is in the third year of his six-year contract, earning $4.5 million against the salary cap.

Filling in for the veteran has been Nick Blankenburg in a regular spot on Toronto's back end. Marshall Rifai was also recalled from the AHL's Toronto Marlies ahead of their last game against the Utah Mammoth. 

Rifai played 9:04 in his first game of the season with the Leafs on Tuesday, with Toronto deploying an 11-forward and seven-defensemen rotation.

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