The Toronto Maple Leafs may be getting a pivotal piece of their defensive corps back, as Chris Tanev returned to the ice for the Maple Leafs on Monday morning.
Tanev was seen skating in a regular jersey at practice, which indicates that he’s been cleared to resume contact at practice and in games. Despite this, Tanev won’t play against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday and wouldn’t commit to a firm date for his return.
Chris Tanev called his current situation “fluid” but nice to get back to a full practice.
Craig Berube says he won’t play tomorrow. Asked if he would return before Christmas, he wouldn’t commit to a timeline. @BodogCA
— David Alter (@dalter) December 15, 2025
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The soon-to-be 36-year-old defenceman has been out of the lineup since he collided with Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov on Nov. 1. It was an awkward hit that ultimately proved to be more serious than initially expected, and the Leafs have been hurting without his steady presence on the back end. Head coach Craig Berube mentioned last week that Tanev was seeking a second opinion on his injury.
In other news, the flu bug appears to be making its way through the Maple Leafs dressing room. William Nylander and Dakota Joshua were both game-time decisions for Saturday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers, with the former playing despite clearly not being healthy and the latter missing the game altogether. Both Nylander and Joshua were present for practice on Monday, but forward Matias Maccelli seems to be the latest victim of the illness. Maccelli hasn’t played to begin with since Nov. 28 after a slew of scratches.
While much was made of Tanev’s age and durability when the Maple Leafs initially signed him, he had a relatively injury-free 2024-25 season with the team. He played in 75 regular season games for them and all 13 of their playoff games, putting up three goals and 18 points in those 75 games. He had one goal and two assists in their playoff run.
#Leafs lines during practice Dec. 15/25
Knies-Matthews-Nylander
Robertson-Tavares-McMann
Joshua-Roy-Domi
Lorentz-Laughton-Cowan
Extra: JarnkrokRielly-Benoit
McCabe-Stecher
OEL-Tanev
Thrun-MyersHildeby
Woll
Akhtyamov@BodogCA pic.twitter.com/mBLZjBaJns— David Alter (@dalter) December 15, 2025
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The return and absence of certain players combined with a lacklustre third period effort against the Oilers has seen some changes throughout the Leafs lineup. Nylander is now on the top line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, with Joshua returning to his third line role alongside Nicolas Roy and Max Domi, who was bumped from the top line. The fact that Rielly is skating with Simon Benoit likely indicates that Tanev was just getting reps in at practice and won’t be ready for action this week.
The Maple Leafs host the Blackhawks on Tuesday night as they look to snap a two-game losing skid.
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