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Presence on blue line is required for any chance of team success
Published Oct 10, 2026 • Last updated 2 minutes ago • 2 minute read
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The last thing the Maple Leafs needed came early on Saturday night.
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We’re talking about an injury to veteran defenceman Chris Tanev.
Midway through the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena in Denver, Tanev’s night was done as he departed the game with an upper-body issue.
The Leafs announced in the first intermission that Tanev would not return, but no further information on his injury was provided.
Tanev left after what appeared to be a fairly routine bumping with Avs forward Artturi Lehkonen in front of the net. Tanev was hunched over as he made his way to the Leafs bench and then the dressing room.
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Tanev’s presence on the blue line is required for any chance of Leafs success. As their best defenceman, hands down, Tanev has provided poise and defensive smarts since being acquired by the Leafs in the summer of 2024.
We witnessed last season what can happen when Tanev is out: He played in just 11 games because of injuries, and it was not a coincidence that Toronto missed the playoffs.
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If Tanev is out for the long term, it’s a massive blow to club’s blue-line corps.
If a defenceman is required to be recalled from the Toronto Marlies, veterans Philippe Myers, Dakota Mermis or Marshall Rifai could get the nod. Ben Danford, still a rookie in the American Hockey League after he helped the Toronto Marlies win the Calder Cup last spring, probably needs more seasoning before getting that call.
The Leafs weren’t caught shorthanded, numbers-wise, on defence in Denver as coach Jim Hiller dressed seven D-men and 11 forwards.
In his Toronto debut, defenceman Nick Blankenburg opened the scoring before Avs superstar Nathan MacKinnon scored twice to put Colorado up 2-1 by the end of the first period.
William Nylander tied the game on the power play, going forehand deke after taking a pass from Gavin McKenna, to tie the game 2-2 at 6:53 of the second.
More to come …
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