Chris Tanev was the Toronto Maple Leafs' forgotten man in 2026-27. The defenseman battled through injuries, most notably concussions and then core muscle surgery that ended his season after appearing in just 11 games.
The steady, dependable blueliner signed with the Leafs as a free agent in the summer of 2024 and had a stellar first year in Toronto, playing almost twenty minutes a game in the team's run to the top of the Atlantic Division. Year 2 of his six-year contract was not as kind. Tanev watched mostly from the sidelines as the Maple Leafs plummeted to last place in the division.
Many factors led to Toronto's demise last season: shoddy defense, subpar goaltending, a poor power play, a career-worst season from Auston Matthews, and failing to replace Mitch Marner. It's not a coincidence, however, that the Leafs suffered without Tanev. His return to health is among the most important factors for Toronto bouncing back in 2026-27.
How Tanev Holds the Keys to Toronto's 2026-27 Success
Tanev's health and availability are under-the-radar keys to the Maple Leafs' success this season. He turns 37 in December and is coming off surgery and has a concussion history. Injuries and declining performance were the biggest risk factors when former Leafs' GM Brad Treliving signed Tanev to a six-year deal in his late thirties. Granted, the concussion from Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov was a fluke accident, but the fact remains Tanev is now more susceptible to further head injuries.
The defenseman played a large role in Toronto's Atlantic Division title in 2024-25. That year, the Leafs were a top-ten defensive team. He and Jake McCabe formed a shutdown duo for the Maple Leafs. Humiliating Game 5 and Game 7 home losses aside, Toronto came within a whisker of a 3-0 Round 2 series lead against the Florida Panthers and a probable series victory. They gave the eventual Cup champions all they could handle.
In 2025-26, the Maple Leafs surrendered the second-most goals in the NHL behind the Vancouver Canucks. Their goals-against per game was 3.60, up from 2.79 in 2024-25. The regression in the play of goaltenders Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz and the team's general lack of commitment to defense were factors, but Tanev's unavailability can't be ignored.
Tanev is not flashy, but his attributes help in winning games. In 16 NHL seasons, he has had a negative plus-minus rating only once. Whether you love or hate that statistic, it's an impressive feat. He is calm under pressure in his own end. He blocks shots and makes the critical first pass to help breakouts that lead to transition opportunities. Tanev also gets heavy usage in late-period or late-game situations. He is a coach's best friend because he can be trusted in big moments.
New Maple Leafs' general manager John Chayka has made many additions to help improve the team for 2026-27. One of them, defenseman Darren Raddysh, should help alleviate some of the burden on Tanev. While the performance of fresh faces like Raddysh, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, and Gavin McKenna, along with familiar faces Matthews, William Nylander, and Matthew Knies, will get plenty of attention, the underappreciated, unsung Tanev can't be overlooked. The last two years have shown how important he is to winning.
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