The Toronto Maple Leafs' injury room remains crowded, but a glimmer of hope emerged on the ice Saturday as veteran defenceman Chris Tanev took a significant step toward returning to the lineup.
Tanev's Return on the Horizon
Chris Tanev, who has been sidelined for six weeks following a scary upper-body injury in Philadelphia, was the first player on the ice for the team's morning skate. The shot-blocking specialist wore a no-contact red jersey, signaling his ramp-up in activity. This development comes after his second significant injury of the young season, the first being an early-season concussion.
"Tanny got looked at this week and hopefully it's good news," head coach Craig Berube told reporters. "Hopefully he can get more involved. It was great to see both of them out here." Berube was also referring to defenceman Marshall Rifai, who is recovering from pre-season wrist surgery.
Goaltending Depth Tested
The positive news on Tanev is tempered by continued setbacks in the crease. The club has placed goaltender Joseph Woll on injured reserve, joining netminder Anthony Stolarz. Both are out with upper-body injuries, leaving the Leafs without their top two goalies for the foreseeable future. Woll is expected to miss at least a week.
"I've been involved in this before, I don't get surprised by another injury," said Berube, reflecting on the rash of ailments during his decade of NHL coaching. "It's part of (hockey), it's tough for sure. But other guys are coming in, stepping up and that's the job. That's why you have extra players, filling holes and getting opportunity."
Injury Bug Bites Deep
The Leafs' injury list extends far beyond the net. Defenceman Brandon Carlo remains out after being hurt on November 13. The nature of the injuries has been particularly frustrating, with many occurring on seemingly innocuous plays. Captain Auston Matthews injured himself attempting to throw a hit, while winger Steven Lorentz has suffered a couple of upper-body issues on what he calls "freak plays."
"Depends on how you look at it," Lorentz said. "It's definitely frustrating to go through that when it might be a minor bump or a play that doesn't (impact a game). But things happen, right? It's a fast game... You tweak or move in one direction and something cracks."
He emphasized the unpredictable physical toll of the sport, noting, "You might stay healthy for months, then it might be three guys hurt in just a couple of days."
Next Man Up Mentality Prevails
Despite the challenges, the team has shown resilience. With Dennis Hildeby in net, waiver pickup Troy Stecher on defence, and increased responsibility for rookie Easton Cowan, the Leafs managed a successful 4-2 record on a recent six-game road trip. This followed a difficult five-game losing streak.
"It's easy to say it's all about the next man up, but guys here realize it is a chance to step in and contribute to something special," Lorentz added, highlighting the silver lining for depth players.
The team now returns to Scotiabank Arena for a five-game homestand, their first games at home since November 20, which should provide a more stable environment for the depleted roster. The stretch also allows for the celebration of defenceman Morgan Rielly's 900th regular season NHL game, a milestone reached by only seven other players in franchise history.
As the team navigates this turbulent period, Berube's philosophy remains steadfast. Speaking to a group of minor hockey coaches at an open house, he stressed consistency over constant change. "It's just my opinion, but too many coaches want to 'change, change, change' and try new things. It's not about that. It's about sticking to the process and beating it into your team... For me, it's 'keep banging away at it.'"
