Maple Leafs’ Chris Tanev out day-to-day with upper-body injury; unlikely to play Friday
Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Christ Tanev is out injured day-to-day and is unlikely to play on Friday against the New York Rangers.
Speaking to the media following practice on Wednesday, head coach Craig Berube told reporters the 35-year-old right-handed blueliner is likely unavailable for the matchup at Madison Square Garden.
Chris Tanev is day to day and unlikely to play Friday, per Craig Berube.
— Joshua Kloke (@joshuakloke) February 26, 2025Tanev did not participate in the Leafs’ practice in Boston. At the same time, it was also a maintenance day for Morgan Rielly, Austin Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, Jake McCabe, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
In his debut season with the Leafs, Tanev had to leave their 5-4 overtime win over the Bruins on Tuesday in the first period after taking a hit to the shoulder from Boston forward John Beecher.
Leafs’ PR confirmed he wouldn’t return during the first intermission, and Tanev was later seen leaving the TD Garden with his arm in a sling.
Chris Tanev was seen leaving TD Garden with his right arm in a sling, per @lukefoxjukebox.
Tanev left tonight's game after this play in the first period. pic.twitter.com/pf51XuVPTc
“Hopefully, he’s not out too long,” Berube said post-game. “He’s a very important player for us.”
As one of the most experienced players in the league with 849 NHL regular season games, Tanev has been a significant addition to the Leafs blueline alongside defensive partner Jake McCabe.
Before leaving Tuesday’s clash, he ranked third in the league in blocked shots with 151.
“Tanev is one of the best defencemen in the league, in my opinion,” defenceman Morgan Rielly told The Athletic. “He plays big minutes; he plays hard minutes against the other team’s best players. I thought the (defence) played well, and I thought the forwards helped us out. Obviously, we hope he’s not out too long.”
The Maple Leafs sit atop the NHL’s Atlantic Division with 74 points in 58 games. After Friday’s matchup against the Rangers, they wrap up a four-game road trip with a visit to the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 2 before returning home for a March 3 matchup with the San Jose Sharks.