Being without Chris Tanev for a long time would have been a challenge. How will the Leafs look going forward? David Alter investigates.
The Toronto Maple Leafs probably could have used another defenseman at the deadline and Chris Tanev’s injury is a good reminder of that.
Early in the first period of the Maple Leafs’ dramatic 5-4 overtime win against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, veteran defenseman Chris Tanev was hit by Boston Bruins forward John Beecher along the end boards. Tanev didn’t play another shift and was ruled out for the remainder of the game with an upper-body injury. Tanev was later seen leaving TD Garden in a sling. It seemed like a crushing blow to a team whose defense has been completely revamped by the 35-year-old Torontonian. Through games played on Feb 25, Tanev is third in the NHL among blocks with 151 over 57 games. When paired up with veteran Jake McCabe, they have proven to be the best defensive duo when skating together. But there was some good news. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said Tanev was slated as “day-to-day” and that the defenseman shouldn’t be on the shelf for too long, but he will still miss some time- at least one game, for sure.
So What Do the Maple Leafs Do Now?
In the interim, Phil Myers will get some more ice time and he has proven to be a serviceable bottom-pair fill-in (or if needed to skate with Morgan Rielly). Replacing a right-shot defenseman with another may not be enough to solve the issue. Multiple defensive pairs are going to be affected by the loss of Tanev putting the proper groove and mix into a bit of disarray. The Leafs could just move Timmins up to play on the right side of McCabe. Timmins may move up to skate with McCabe. However, Timmins struggled against the Bruins when elevated into that role. The Maple Leafs may have defeated Boston, but they used their offense to come back and that covered up what felt like a miserable start to the game. It was hardly a great defensive showing and the last thing the Leafs want right now is to get away from their good defensive habits with their shiniest example on the shelf.
More On How the Leafs Looked Without Tanev
In the one game Tanev missed this season, the Leafs fell 5-2 to the Winnipeg Jets back on Dec. 23, 2024. In that contest, Winnipeg scored three of their five goals either in or just outside of the crease and the Jets were easily able to penetrate a porous Toronto defense. It’s possible the Jets caught the Leafs sleeping on the day both teams were looking forward to a three-day break in the schedule. But Jets are the NHL leader in wins as of Feb. 26 and it’s something to keep an eye on.
Help at the Deadline?
With the trade deadline approaching, the Maple Leafs are going to want to bolster their defensive depth. Jani Hakanpaa, an acquisition that was expected to help in similar ways to Tanev, has been limited to two games due to a lingering knee issue that is nearly a year old. Players like Marshall Rifai and Dakota Mermis might be able to help, but it may not be enough. A player Kraken defenseman Jamie Oleksiak would be an excellent fit, but a $4.6 million cap hit with term is going to be expensive in a trade. Are the Leafs willing to give up a high collection of draft picks and prospects to get him? Someone cheaper who has had success with the Leafs in the playoffs like Luke Schenn might make the most sense. He was a perfect fit with Morgan Rielly and comes in a low cap hit of $2.75 million. Given how things are going in Nashville (not very good), it looks like he’d be open to it.
How You Play It??
With Tanev out and teams feeling each other out since the 4 Nations break, hit the over on combined goals scored for the next few upcoming Leafs games if it stays at 5.5 It presents good value, as ever at Bodog Sportsbook.