'You Miss A Guy Like That For Sure': Chris Tanev A 'Game-Time Decision' As Maple Leafs Take On Panthers In Battle For Atlantic Division Lead
Feb 4, 2025; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev (8) against the Calgary Flames during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn ImagesToronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev may return to the lineup when the club hosts the Florida Panthers at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday.
The defenseman did not stay out late for the club's optional morning skate and Phil Myers did a little bit of extra work, signaling the possibility that the veteran may return from upper-body injury.
However, Myers did not stay out later to be bag-skated, likely because they wanted the player to be ready in case Tanev could not play.
Tanev has missed the last six games due to an upper-body injury. The Leafs have gone 3-2-1 in the defenseman's absence, but it's become evident that the team has played worse without the shot-blocking veteran in the lineup.
According to NaturalStatTrick.com, the Leafs have posted a 37 percent expected-goals percentage at 5-on-5 in the six-game stretch that Tanev has been out of the lineup.
During practice on Thursday, Tanev and Berube were both evasive when it came to putting a timeline on when the defenseman would return. But based on the numbers, the Leafs are certainly a better team with him than without.
Courtesy: NaturalStatTrick.com"Through this stretch, you miss a guy like that for sure," Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe admitted. "But other guys have stepped up and taken some minutes."
The Leafs signed Tanev to a six-year, $27 million deal last summer.
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