Maple Leafs face alarming news as Chris Tanev injury threatens extended absence
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs may have a worst-case scenario on their hands when it comes to Chris Tanev if a new report from David Pagnotta is to be believed.
Injuries have been a huge issue for the Maple Leafs this season as they are still without goaltender Anthony Stolarz, William Nylander is still finding himself on the shelf despite a day-to-day status, and the rest of the team has struggled to stay healthy.
But one of the biggest issues has to be Chris Tanev's string of injuries this year which has prevented him from not only helping the Maple Leafs with his strong shutdown defense, but has put his career in jeopardy.
Three separate long-term injuries have kept him out of the lineup including two concussions, and while this latest one is reportedly not related to the previous two; it's still very worrisome.
Chris Tanev likely out for the rest of 2025-26 season: Pagnotta
And things are about to get even worse for the Maple Leafs if David Pagnotta's report comes to fruition.
The Fourth Period's Pagnotta explained that it looks bad for Tanev as he will be meeting with a surgeon and there is genuine fear his regular season is over:
Some tough #LeafsForever news: Chris Tanev's regular-season may be over. Per sources, Tanev is meeting with a surgeon in the coming week to determine next steps. If they move forward with surgery, he is expected to be out until late-April/early-May.
It's a hugely unfortunate turn of events for Tanev and the Maple Leafs, though there is always a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.
If Tanev does need surgery and is out until April/May as Pagnotta says, that would give him a timeline to return for their playoff push (and with how tight standings are it's likely they get there).
But it doesn't help things now, and with a fairly strong start to the latter half of the season, the Maple Leafs are going to need to ensure they have enough insurance on the back end.
What the Maple Leafs can do now with Tanev out long-term
This makes a potential trade for a player like Rasmus Andersson or Luke Schenn an even higher possibility than it was, and with Tanev out for the remainder of the year it's either working a deal out or trying someone out from the Marlies.
Tanev, 36, has only skated in 11 games this season for the Maple Leafs and recorded two points, 15 blocks and a plus-eight rating. Only two seasons into his tenure with the team, he's posted 20 points in 86 games with Toronto along with a plus-39 and 204 blocks.
If this really is the end for Tanev's season, it will be a horrible end for a player who is beloved not only in the locker room but from fans and analysts alike.
There's a warrior spirit inside Tanev that we've seen so much of throughout his career, but this may be a fight he's unable to walk away from this time.