The latest Chris Tanev update is the kind Leafs fans have been waiting for
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
While a new update doesn't exactly shed light on Chris Tanev's return date, it's certainly a positive when it comes to his progress as he recovers from injury.
This season has not been too kind to Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev as he's currently on the shelf long-term and is suffering through his third injury of the season -- suffered mere weeks in between.
This latest setback has brought forth some serious concerns about his future health and when he'll actually return and there is surgery as a potential option as things look grimmer by the day.
But there hasn't been any news of surgery and for good reason, it's because Tanev feels like he might not need it, and could return at some point still.
Chris Tanev trying to heal on his own as he eyes return this season
According to head coach Craig Berube, the decision to not get surgery has relied solely on Tanev has he wants to work through this injury and doesn't want to immediately jump to the last possible solution:
He's still working through things. He hasn't got surgery yet. We're still working through things. That's him. He wants to play.
This sounds like Tanev trying to give himself as much time to heal as possible and with an Olympic break on the horizon, he'll get a couple more weeks to recover.
That would give him enough time to help Toronto in the last little push of the season, then hopefully stick around for the playoffs before getting any surgery done in the summer.
Chris Tanev's return timeline affects Toronto's trade plans
It's not a bad plan whatsoever and Tanev would much rather give himself all the time to recover however it does throw a potential wrench into things going forward.
As Toronto continues to decide whether or not to make a trade, they are going to likely need as much cap space as possible and moving Tanev to LTIR for the rest of the year would do that.
But it's hard to fit in his deal with a returning Tanev, and especially if there's no salary retention. So it's going to rely on heavily on when he can actually return and how he responds to being out for months.
Tanev, 36, has only skated in 11 games this season, recording two assists, 15 blocks and a plus-eight rating in 17:58 TOI.
If the Maple Leafs are confident that Tanev is coming back then they may still acquire a defenseman but shift gears to a cheaper option like Luke Schenn though that doesn't solve their puck-moving issues.
So for now, it's a great sign that Chris Tanev doesn't need surgery, but Toronto is going to need him to come back and be that elite defenseman though after a few months away -- that's a lot easier said than done.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Former Leafs forward lands a new NHL deal after breakout season away from Toronto
Former Leafs forward lands a new NHL deal after breakout season away from Toronto