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Craig Berube Confirms Maple Leafs' Defenseman Surgery

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Dec 12, 2025 9:34 AM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs entered Thursday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks already without key defensemen Chris Tanev and Brandon Carlo, and by the end of the game they had lost another defender in Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

When it comes to Carlo, the blueliner has not played since Nov. 13 because of a lower-body injury, and his absence has loomed over the club’s recent road trip.

On Thursday, Toronto head coach Craig Berube revealed that Carlo underwent surgery during the road trip.

"Yeah," Berube said when asked if Carlo had surgery. "At the time, they [the medical staff] thought [he 'd be out] about a month. When was that? I can’t remember. We were on the road, I think, when it happened."

️ | Craig Berube | Post Game vs. San Jose Sharks | Dec 11 pic.twitter.com/rjwsADvjOE
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) December 12, 2025

Carlo was forced to return to Toronto on Dec. 1 following a setback that required further evaluation, and ultimately underwent surgery. He has recorded two points and averaged 20 minutes, 4 seconds of ice time per game in 18 games played.

Berube also addressed the status of Tanev, who has been out since Nov. 1 with a head and neck injury.

"I don’t know yet," Berube said when asked for a timeline and whether or not he'd need to undergo surgery. "I wish I did, but can’t speed him up."

Meanwhile, defenseman Dakota Mermis added to the list of absences earlier this week when he was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. Mermis is expected to miss roughly a month.

Colorado Avalanche forward Parker Kelly and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Brandon Carlo battle for position.John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

The situation worsened when Ekman-Larsson left Thursday’s game against the Sharks with a lower-body injury. Berube said the team will need further evaluation before determining the length of his absence.

"It's tough for sure. Critical position, we all know that," Berube said. "Yeah, that's the way it is, so you need another guy to step up and play."

The Maple Leafs host the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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