While Tanev aims to be ready for the opening day of camp, Tanev described his rehab from surgery in March as "slow". The veteran defender has to show that the injury issues of last year are fully in the rearview mirror.
If the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to have any shot at improving their defence, the overall health of defenseman Chris Tanev will be key.
The defenseman was limited to 11 games last season but is aiming to be back on the ice for the opening day of Leafs training camp on Sept. 17.
In an interview with the Toronto Star’s Dave Feschuk, Tanev describe his recovery from core/groin surgery as a “slow rehab” since undergoing surgery in early March.
“I mean, I’m feeling good. We still have to talk to the doctors, I think, in a week or two. But the plan is hopefully I’m ready to rumble once everything gets going.”
On Dec. 28, in a game against the Detroit Red Wings. Tanev took a step and felt a pop. He knew immediately it was not good. Doctors confirmed a core-muscle injury. Doctors told him he needed surgery, but the defenseman held off, hoping he could be available for his team should they make a push for the playoffs. In early March, when it was inevitable that Toronto’s postseason aspirations were crushed, Tanev had surgery in New York.
Before the latest injury, Tanev had twice spent stints on long-term injured reserve. On Oct. 21 against New Jersey, Tanev left after 5:57 with a concussion. He returned Nov. 1 in Philadelphia, his first game back. That’s when Flyers forward Matvei Michkov bumped him from behind near the Leafs' blue line. Tanev’s head snapped back. He stayed down. Medical staff attended to him on the ice before he was taken off on a stretcher and spent the night in a Philadelphia hospital as a precaution.
He called it a fluke hit, but it was still jarring to see Tanev need help off the ice for what seemed like an innocent-looking hit.
Tanev will be 37 in December and still has four years left on the six-year, $27-million contract he signed after arriving from Dallas in the summer of 2024. When he was absent, the team suffered from a defensive and PK standpoint.
There’s no doubt this will be a defining year for the veteran defenseman to prove that the issues of last year are fully behind him.
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