Maple Leafs Unveil New Defensive Pairings Following Chris Tanev's Injury
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
In the wake of Chris Tanev's unidentified injury against New Jersey on Wednesday, head coach Craig Berube is going to be making some big changes defensively, as Toronto's worst fears have arisen.
Things went from bad to worse for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night. Not only did they they lose the game 5-2 to the New Jersey Devils in a lifeless showing, but the worst part was losing Chris Tanev to injury.
After bumping heads with Devils forward Dawson Mercer, Tanev immediately grimaced and kneeled to the ice for a couple minutes before eventually being helped off the ice and not returning to the game.
It was a huge blow to a team that's already going through a rough stretch, and that once staunch defense is now glaringly wide open with not a lot of time to figure it out.
How Toronto's Blue Line Will Adjust Without Chris Tanev
Craig Berube understands this, and is looking to make some mandatory changes that will see defenseman Philippe Myers enter the fray.
During Toronto's optional practice of which only a handful of players showed up, it was Myers and veteran Oliver Ekman-Larsson who were working together on the third pairing, while it is assumed Simon Benoit jumps up a pairing.
Myers is a very solid option who has not had too much time to shine but has been a more than capable defender when he has played. Plus, the bonus of him being a right-handed shot means that OEL can finally play on his preferred side.
He recorded five points in 36 games for the Maple Leafs last season, while also adding a fairly impressive 42 blocks and 76 hits in only 16:14 of ice-time.
It's a move that could pay off huge as we saw how good OEL can actually be when he plays on the left side, and Myers afford him that luxury.
McCabe and Benoit head back together, and while they have had some moderate success together, it's really going to test Benoit's ability to play harder, skate faster and make sure he's in the right spot at all times.
In terms of McCabe, he had a very rare lapse in judgment after whiffing on a hit that led to a Jack Hughes breakaway (though the team was overall at fault for that) but he's good enough to hold the fort down as he has all year.
Obviously Berube prefers to go with Myers as opposed to asking for a call-up like William Villeneuve or Henry Thrun, though if Tanev is gone long-term then for sure one of the Marlies blueliners are going to be brought in.
This new look defense is going to need to get their feet under them quickly as they face off against Buffalo on Friday, and a poor showing there will only highlight how bad things currently are.
Toronto's best chance at making sure they have a solid enough defensive group is to hope and pray that Tanev is going to be back sooner than later.
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