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Toronto Maple Leafs drop surprise update involving Chris Tanev


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Alexander Cole
December 17, 2025  (7:02 PM)
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Jan 16, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev (8) tracks the play against the New Jersey Devils in the first period at Scotiabank Arena.
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev has been working his way back into the team's lineup, and with the team going on a road trip, the anticipation is real.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are a bit thin on defense right now, as Chris Tanev has been injured for over a month with a concussion.
Concussions have plagued Tanev's season, and as it stands, he has only played eight games throughout the 2025-26 campaign.
Thankfully, Tanev has been working his way back to the lineup. He has been able to find himself on the ice at practice with regular jerseys, suggesting he's almost ready to come back.
In fact, a recent social media post from the Maple Leafs suggests that the defenseman is actually coming back sooner than you think.

Chris Tanev now traveling with the Toronto Maple Leafs

Below, you can see that Tanev was spotted getting onto the team plane on its way to Washington for a Thursday night matchup against the Capitals.
While he might not play tomorrow night, this travel itinerary suggests the defenseman will be back within the next week, if he continues to progress in a positive direction.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a much better team when Chris Tanev is in the lineup. With that in mind, the team will be hoping for him to return soon.
It will be interesting to see which defenseman ends up getting the axe when he returns. You would think it would be Troy Stecher, but he is needed now more than ever.
It is likely to be Simon Benoit, especially as the Maple Leafs have an overabundance of left-handed defenseman right now.
Whatever the case may be, if you are a Leafs fan, you can't help but be excited about Tanev getting back into the lineup.
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DECEMBRE 17   |   573 ANSWERS
Toronto Maple Leafs drop surprise update involving Chris Tanev

Do you believe Chris Tanev is going to turn the Toronto Maple Leafs season around?

YES25444.3 %
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