For the second time this season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that they will be without defenseman Chris Tanev for an extended period of time in what is the latest blow to the roster that has been anything but at full strength so far in 2025-26.
Tanev, who only recently returned to the Maple Leafs lineup from an extended stay on Injured Reserve, has suffered what the club is referring to as a groin injury and will once again be unavailable indefinitely.
He managed only three games since returning, and has been limited to only 11 total games played this season in what is his second campaign with the club since joining them in free agency last offseason.
According to the latest information from Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube, who is also in his second season with the franchise, Tanev will be forced to miss a “significant” period of time.
“Chris Tanev’s gonna miss some time, significant time,” Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said on Wednesday following the morning skate.
Tanev was one of three Maple Leafs players who were injured in their recent 3-2 overtime setback against the Detroit Red Wings earlier this week. Tanev suffered a groin injury, while team captain Auston Matthews was hurt when he blocked a shot. Additionally, Dakota Joshua suffered what the team referred to as a kidney injury.
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Toronto Maple Leafs Coach Craig Berube Said The Latest Setback Has “Been Hard” on Chris Tanev
Tanev, who has been limited to just 11 games played this season, has had a rough go of it so far in 2025-26, something that Berube said was “tough” for the veteran defender.
“Kind of a freak thing more than anything,” Berube said of Tanev. “It’s one of those things that happens. It’s unfortunate for him. You feel for him, what he’s gone through this year. It’s tough. He wants to be out there helping the team. It’s been hard on him.”
Meanwhile, Joshua has been unable to leave Detroit since suffering the internal injury. According to Berube, the timetable for Joshua’s return to the lineup also is far down the road.
“But again, he’s (going to miss) significant time,” Berube said of Joshua.
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The Maple Leafs Have Experienced Numerous Injuries This Season
The Maple Leafs have barely been able to ice a fully healthy lineup at any point this season, as they’ve experienced multiple setbacks to key players.
Currently, the Leafs are without Matthews along with forward William Nylander and defenseman Brandon Carlo.
Additionally, goaltender Anthony Stolarz, playing in his second season with the club and who was recently awarded with a contract extension for his strong play in 2024-25, hasn’t played since the second week of November.
The good news for Stolarz is that he made an appearance on the ice on Wednesday morning for what was the first time since the injury, the nature of which has still not been disclosed, took place against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden.
Matthews did skate on Wednesday, and Berube was optimistic that he’d be able to play in their next game. However, Nylander did not skate, and all indications point toward him missing a third consecutive contest; neither Matthews nor Nylander played in Toronto’s 4-0 win over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday evening.
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