Maple Leafs Coach Craig Berube Provides Unfortunate Update on Chris Tanev

The Toronto Maple Leafs are coming off of a disappointing 7-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in a game where it was clear the team missed its most reliable defender, Chris Tanev.

Tanev has been sidelined with an upper-body injury sustained in late February during a game against the Boston Bruins. He was placed on the injured reserve a week later and has missed five games since.

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube provided an update on Tanev's condition, as per Mark Masters on X:

Tanev has been the Maple Leafs' most reliable defender this season, always in the right position defensively and willing to block any shots that come his way.

In Tanev's absence, new trade deadline acquisition Brandon Carlo stepped in, leading the Leafs in both total ice time, PK ice time, and shot blocks in his debut.

When Tanev eventually returns, the Maple Leafs' defense corps could be the strongest the team has seen in two decades. With rival Atlantic Division teams like the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning bolstering their rosters at the trade deadline, the return of a healthy Tanev could not come soon enough for the Leafs.