Calgary Flames’ Chris Tanev exits game with upper-body injury

Calgary Flames defenseman Chris Tanev left Monday night’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets with what appeared to be an upper-body injury. 

The incident took place in the first period when Tanev and Blue Jackets forward Eric Robinson collided near the Flames’ bench. Tanev immediately hunched over in pain and grabbed his shoulder making his way to the bench immediately. He logged 2:32 of ice time.

The 32-year-old has had a history of injuries throughout his career. In 2019 while with the Vancouver Canucks, he suffered a season-ending ankle injury. A shoulder injury forced him to miss four games during the Flames’ 2022 playoff run and last May, he underwent surgery for a torn labrum. Tanev has missed seven games this season already for the Flames with upper body-related injuries.  

Tanev has registered eight points (one goal, seven assists) in 39 games this season, and had a multi-point night against the Dallas Stars on Jan. 14. During the 2021-22 campaign, he registered a career-high 28 points (6G, 22A) in 82 games. He recorded one assist and 19:34 of ice time in eight playoff games with the Flames. Throughout his career with the Canucks and Flames he has totalled 166 points in 691 regular season games. 

This is Tanev’s third season with the Flames organization. In October 2020, he signed a four-year $18 million contract that holds an average annual value (AAV) of $4.5 million. He is in year three of the contract.