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The Toronto Maple Leafs have encountered an early-season obstacle, as veteran defenseman Chris Tanev is slated to miss additional games because of an upper-body injury. The organization disclosed on Thursday that Tanev will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis, depriving Toronto of one of its most reliable defensive stalwarts for what could be several weeks.
The 36-year-old was initially assigned to injured reserve on Monday, with the designation backdated to Saturday. That was when he sustained the injury during the Maple Leafs' 6-3 triumph over the Colorado Avalanche. Tanev completed only five shifts in the opening period before exiting the game, immediately sparking worries about his future availability.
This latest ailment is especially troubling when considering Tanev's recent difficulties staying on the ice. Last season, the veteran blueliner was limited to just 11 appearances while coping with spine and groin issues, along with a concussion. His scarce availability proved to be a major blow for Toronto, which depends heavily on his defensive reliability and veteran presence.
So far this season, Tanev has registered a single assist in six games, after posting only two assists in 11 outings during the 2025-26 campaign. In his debut season with the Maple Leafs in 2024-25, he contributed three goals and 15 assists, offering a stabilizing force on Toronto's defense corps.
Tanev began his NHL career with the Vancouver Canucks, where he spent his first 10 seasons. He then spent five years with the Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars before signing with Toronto prior to the 2024-25 season. While Tanev is not counted on for offensive output, his defensive contributions are vital to the Maple Leafs' lineup.
Key Analysis
His absence is likely to increase the workload on Toronto's remaining defensemen as the team navigates the early part of its schedule. In response, the Maple Leafs have already started tweaking their defensive personnel. The club recalled defenseman Marshal Rafai, while Nick Blankenburg was inserted into the lineup to help compensate for Tanev's absence.
Toronto heads into Thursday's game against the Buffalo Sabres with a 3-3-1 record, making this upcoming stretch crucial as the team aims to find consistency. The Maple Leafs will play host to Buffalo on Thursday, seeking a win despite the loss of a key defensive contributor. With Tanev expected to miss more time, Toronto will need its defensive depth to rise to the occasion until the veteran is fully recovered.
Originally reported by yahoo.