Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Maple Leafs Injury Update Emerges on Saturday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Nov 8, 2025 12:43 PM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs received news on Saturday regarding injured key defenseman Chris Tanev.

Before taking on the Boston Bruins later in the day, the Leafs welcomed back Tanev as the veteran blueliner resumed skating for the first time in a week.

Tanev took to the ice in a non-contact black jersey during a solo session ahead of Toronto's morning skate. It marked his first appearance since being stretchered off following a collision in last Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

The defenseman was hit from behind by Flyers forward Matvei Michkov and lay motionless for several moments before being taken off the ice. He gave a thumbs-up while exiting and spent the night in a Philadelphia hospital. Tanev was released the next morning and placed on injured reserve, retroactive to Nov. 1.

Great to see Leafs defenceman Chris Tanev back on the ice

Just one week since he was stretchered off in Philadelphia @TSN_Sports pic.twitter.com/HXIX5fOClW
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) November 8, 2025

Tanev had just returned to the lineup after an earlier concussion kept him out for 11 days. The 35-year-old has appeared in only eight games this season, recording two assists while averaging 17:20 of ice time.

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube confirmed Tanev’s progress and spoke with reporters following Saturday's practice.

"He's progressing in the right direction," Berube said, per Sportsnet.

While no timeline has been provided for Tanev's return to game action, his presence at the rink gave teammates a lift, although it's likely the Leafs will take as much precaution as possible.

Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Chris Tanev (8) skates against the Florida Panthers.John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Fellow defenseman Brandon Carlo sounded optimistic about how Tanev looked on the ice, saying, "He's doing well. Every time I've talked to him since, he's seemed like just himself. That's what you like to see. He's got bright eyes and a bushy tail in the morning. He's a great player, he's a huge part of this group, obviously he wants to be on the ice.

"First and foremost, we care most about the human being, but I've been happy to see how he's been looking in the morning, he's not looking down or anything like that. He looks great."

The Maple Leafs are riding a three-game win streak entering Saturday’s matchup with the Bruins, with puck drop set for 7 p.m. ET. Toronto holds an 8-5-1 record (17 points) while the Bruins are just ahead of the Leafs in the Atlantic Division with a 9-7-0 record and 18 points.

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

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