Chris Tanev’s absence was felt throughout injury-riddled season

It was a tough year for Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Chris Tanev, to say the least.

After becoming a staple of Toronto’s blue line in the 2024-25 season, there were expectations he would continue to be a defensive anchor as the Maple Leafs pushed for improved results this year.

Unfortunately, as we know, things took a much different turn. Dealing with multiple major injuries, Tanev only managed to suit up 11 times for the Maple Leafs this season. In his absence, Toronto’s defence suffered. Set to turn 37 in December, Tanev now has four years remaining at $4.5 million on his six-year contract. Now, entering next season, there’s lingering uncertainty about his ability to stay healthy and continue to perform this late in his career.

Here’s a look back at Tanev’s season.

How the year went

Chris Tanev played top minutes through Toronto’s first six games, helping amass an early 3-2-1 record. But his season had barely started before it was already over.

On October 21st, Tanev exited a contest against the New Jersey Devils early in the second after a collision to the head left him in visible pain. He was later placed on IR retroactive to that date. Tanev returned to play on November 1st against the Philadelphia Flyers, but had to be carried out on a stretcher after a collision with forward Matvei Michkov in the third period. He was taken to the hospital and discharged the following morning.

Tanev resumed regular practice in mid-December. He made his return to gameplay once again on December 23rd against the Pittsburgh Penguins, an early Christmas gift for Maple Leafs fans. But it didn’t last long. After three games back, Craig Berube announced on December 31st that Tanev would be out indefinitely, owing to a groin injury suffered days earlier against the Detroit Red Wings. It quickly became evident he would miss the remainder of the season. In early March, it was officially announced that Tanev had undergone season-ending core muscle surgery. At the time, it was reported that he is expected to be recovered on time for training camp in September.

In total, Tanev finished the season with two assists in his 11 appearances. He averaged under 18 minutes/night, though this was skewed by games cut short or where his minutes were managed.

Statistical profile

Chris Tanev’s statistical profile is limited given he only appeared in 11 games. For that same reason, his league-wide rankings aren’t relevant in this case.

In 11 games, Tanev was only on the ice for five goals against at 5-on-5. Among Leafs defencemen who appeared in at least 10 games, Tanev is one of just two blue liners who kept a positive goal differential at 5-on-5 (the other being Oliver Ekman-Larsson at +1). His expected goals against per 60 sat an impressive rate of 2.59, with the average among Leafs skaters who ended up with 400+ minutes being 3.52.

Obviously it’s hard to extrapolate from such a small set of games, but it’s not hard to see that his heavy presence was missed this season as the Maple Leafs floundered defensively.