Chris Tanev Finally Breaks Silence on His Injury Return Timeline
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
First-year Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev has been absent for the last several games thanks to injury, and he's breaking his silence about his return timeline.
First-year Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev hasn't played since getting hurt on February 25 against the divisional foe Boston Bruins, taking a hit from John Beecher and later seen with his arm in a sling.
The good news is that he's been on the ice with his teammates at recent practices.
He was a participant with the rest of his teammates at the Ford Training Center as they prepare to face another divisional foe in the Florida Panthers, who also happen to be the reigning Stanley Cup champions.
For Tanev, he said that he's feeling good and continuing his progress toward a return.
Feeling good. Just progressing day-by-day on sort of the timeline that was given to us.
Tanev continued:
It's check the boxes and when that's (done), I'll be playing. I've been hurt a lot, I'll leave it at that. They're all hard (to get through).
It sucks, obviously. You want to be playing every night. Fortunately, we've put ourselves in a good spot.
It sucks, obviously. You want to be playing every night. Fortunately, we've put ourselves in a good spot.
Head coach Craig Berube had a notable comparison for Tanev, saying that he reminded him of former Philadelphia Flyers captain Chris Pronger during their days together earlier in his coaching career.
I always use the analogy, like, when I had Chris Pronger, how much he could control a game. And he controlled it in a different way than Tanev. But Tanny controls a lot of the game for us.
Tanev, who split his time between the Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars last year, has 17 points (2G, 15A) and an impressive +26 rating in 57 games this year while also averaging 19:47 of ice time.
If he misses anymore time, the Maple Leafs could be in serious trouble, something the team can't afford especially at this point in the season.
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