Toronto Maple Leafs Await Crucial Decision on Chris Tanev's Return Timeline
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube indicated on Thursday that a decision regarding defenceman Chris Tanev's immediate hockey future could be imminent, though he emphasized that definitive clarity remains a day or two away. The veteran blue-liner has been skating independently as he progresses toward determining whether he can return from a persistent groin injury that has significantly limited his 2025-26 campaign.
Injury Updates Dominate Post-Olympic Practice Sessions
Following three consecutive days of practices at the Ford Performance Centre after the Winter Olympic break, the Maple Leafs will enjoy a full day off on Friday. This means the next potential update on Tanev's status likely won't surface until Saturday at the earliest. Berube noted, "I think it's still early to talk about whether he's joining us here, but he seems pretty good. We'll talk to him, and see if he can get there by the weekend, but I'm not sure yet."
The prolonged absence of Tanev represents a substantial factor in Toronto's defensive struggles this season. The team enters the post-Olympic portion of the schedule having surrendered the most five-on-five goals in the entire National Hockey League, with 142 against. Their overall goals-against average sits at 3.39 per game, ranking them 27th in the league. Remarkably, with 25 games still remaining, the Leafs have already allowed more five-on-five goals than they did across the entire 82-game schedule of the 2024-25 season, when they gave up 136.
Progress for Joshua and Other Roster Developments
Forward Dakota Joshua, who has been sidelined since suffering a lacerated kidney during a game in Detroit on December 28, is also showing positive signs in his recovery. "He's starting to get his legs back," Berube observed. "He has been out a long time, and the conditioning level takes a while to recover."
The practice session on Thursday saw several notable absences. Goaltender Joseph Woll missed due to flu symptoms, while forward Max Domi was absent for personal reasons. In roster movement news, forward Bo Groulx was recalled from the Toronto Marlies, following the previous day's recall of defenceman William Villeneuve from the American Hockey League affiliate.
Additionally, the team had not yet finalized plans regarding the return of William Nylander and Oliver Ekman-Larsson as of Thursday afternoon. Both players participated in the Olympics with Sweden, which was eliminated by the United States on Wednesday, necessitating travel and recovery arrangements.
Tanev's injury-plagued season stands in stark contrast to his previous durability. After appearing in 75 games during the 2024-25 season, he has been limited to just 11 contests in the current campaign, underscoring the significant impact his absence has had on Toronto's defensive structure and overall performance.
