Maple Leafs activate Chris Tanev from IR, Dakota Mermis assigned to AHL’s Marlies

Ahead of Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Toronto Maple Leafs have activated defenceman Chris Tanev from injured reserve. Dakota Mermis has been assigned to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.

Tanev participated in practice sessions leading up to Saturday’s game and is expected to be paired with Oliver Ekman-Larsson, while Jake McCabe will play alongside Simon Benoit. The 35-year-old was placed on injured reserve retroactive to October 21, after suffering a concussion during a 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils, following a collision with Dawson Mercer.

“When you’re sort of stunned and a little bit confused, it’s not ideal. But felt quite normal really soon after, which was nice,” Tanev said Friday via Sportsnet’s Luke Fox.

“I don’t think any one mimics another one. Sometimes your symptoms may last a while; sometimes they don’t. Sometimes they’re headaches; sometimes they’re just head pressure. Could be your mood. I mean, there’s so many different things a person can feel, and I don’t think any one is the same.”

Tanev recorded one assist through seven games this season, and he will certainly be welcomed back into the lineup, as the Maple Leafs’ rush defence continues to be a major area of concern thus far. Toronto has surrendered 31 goals at 5-on-5, the second-worst total in the NHL entering Saturday’s slate. Tanev recorded three goals and 18 points in 75 games last season, maintaining his reputation as one of the league’s elite defenders and shot-blockers, during his first year with the Maple Leafs.

Mermis played in one game for the Maple Leafs, logging 13:12 and a -2 rating during a 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on October 24.

William Nylander is ruled out of Saturday’s game with an unspecified injury. It appears unlikely at this juncture that Scott Laughton will suit up for Saturday’s contest against his former team, after leading the team’s stretch during Saturday’s morning skate.