The Toronto Maple Leafs have set a date for Chris Tanev's return timeline, and it could end up being at the perfect time.
As the Maple Leafs head into a tough stretch of games, they are going to need as much help as they can get. Adding Chris Tanev back into the fold would be a great way to help solidify the back end, especially with a tandem of rookie goalies holding things down.
The team has decided that they are going to make Wednesday the date where we get to see where his return timeline lies, and there's a lot to take away from it both positively and negatively.
What the Maple Leafs Just Confirmed About Chris Tanev's Next Evaluation
Craig Berube told the media that the team was going to have Tanev evaluated on Wednesday, where they'll get a better idea of when he'll return. Depending on the results, Tanev could make an appearance as early as this week.
He feels good. He's skating, working hard. But we'll have to see when he gets looked at on Wednesday.
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That would be a huge boost to the lineup, however the team is risking bringing him back too early, and opening themselves to him getting hurt a third time.
The team has confirmed that it will be this week that we know about Tanev, and while they were positive about results, there could be a setback that puts his return back into the unknown.
A lot of the next month is going to lie in what the tests say about Tanev, but so far all signs are pointing in the right direction.
Who the Maple Leafs Face Around That Date, and Where Chris Tanev Fits When He's Ready
Toronto's schedule is a little nicer to them this week with an extra day of rest, and given how the testing schedule is laid out; it could bring Tanev back earlier than we thought.
The Maple Leafs play Tampa Bay on Monday, so Tanev's not a factor. But then they don't play until Thursday against San Jose, then Edmonton on Saturday, the Chicago next Tuesday.
If Tanev gets the green light, he could slot in against San Jose, although with how fast the team is, and him potentially not at 100% yet, a couple days extra rest could benefit him.
So we could very likely see him play against Edmonton, which is the perfect chance for him to come in as they are a bit of a slower and older team overall, more to the pace of a returning Tanev.
If not Edmonton, then he is all but assured to play next Tuesday barring any setbacks, and it would be a good start ahead of a stretch where Toronto plays five games in eight days.
Everything rests on Wednesday's results, and all we can do is hope that whatever results comes back don't give the Maple Leafs more to worry about going forward.
Toronto has not given any specifics regarding when Tanev will play once he is given the green light, and this is speculative based on previous information.