Leafs catch tough break with injury news on Chris Tanev
The Toronto Maple Leafs have suffered an early-season setback in the NHL, as veteran defenseman Chris Tanev is expected to miss additional time with an upper-body injury.
Chris Tanev has been given an injury designation of "week-to-week" following his departure from Saturday night’s game against the Avalanche, per @reporterchris Tanev missed a total 71 games last season, with the last injury leading to a core muscle surgery on March 4th. https://t.co/RfBhIKAlba
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 15, 2026
The team announced Thursday that Tanev will be considered week-to-week, leaving Toronto without one of its most dependable defensive players for potentially the next few weeks. The 36-year-old was initially placed on injured reserve Monday in a move retroactive to Saturday, when he suffered the injury during the Maple Leafs’ 6-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche.
Tanev managed just five shifts in the first period before leaving the contest, raising immediate concerns about his availability moving forward.
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Tanev’s injury history raises concerns
Oct 8, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev (8) skates with the puck against Vegas Golden Knights center Brett Howden (21) in the first period at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
The latest injury is particularly concerning given Tanev’s recent struggles to remain healthy. The veteran defenceman appeared in just 11 games last season while dealing with spine and groin injuries, as well as a concussion.
His limited availability was a significant setback for Toronto, which relies on his defensive reliability and experience. Tanev has recorded just one assist through six games this season after managing only two assists in 11 appearances during the 2025-26 campaign.
During his first season with the Maple Leafs in 2024-25, Tanev recorded three goals and 15 assists, providing a steady presence on Toronto’s blue line.
The veteran originally entered the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks, spending the first 10 seasons of his career with the organization. He subsequently spent five years with the Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars before joining Toronto ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Although Tanev is not typically relied upon for offensive production, his defensive contributions make him an important piece of the Maple Leafs’ lineup. His absence could put additional pressure on Toronto’s remaining defencemen as the team navigates the early portion of its schedule.
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Maple Leafs turn to defensive reinforcements
Oct 11, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev (8) passes defended by Detroit Red Wings right wing Jonatan Berggren (48) in the second period at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
With Tanev sidelined, Toronto has already begun adjusting its defensive personnel. The Maple Leafs recalled defenceman Marshal Rafai, while Nick Blankenburg was added to the lineup to help fill the gap.
Toronto enters Thursday’s matchup against the Buffalo Sabres with a 3-3-1 record, making the upcoming stretch important as the team looks to build consistency.
The Maple Leafs will host Buffalo on Thursday, hoping to secure a victory despite losing one of their key defensive contributors.
With Tanev expected to miss additional time, Toronto will need its defensive depth to step up until the veteran is healthy enough to return.
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Source: sports.yahoo.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.