Maple Leafs coach reveals Chris Tanev’s plans before surgery
The Toronto Maple Leafs received clarity on the status of veteran defenseman Chris Tanev after he underwent core muscle surgery this week. The procedure ended his 2025-26 NHL season following a difficult year filled with injuries and setbacks.
The team confirmed the update through Leafs PR on X , writing, “Maple Leafs D Chris Tanev underwent successful core muscle surgery today in New York City. He is expected to fully participate in training in September.”
Head coach Craig Berube also addressed the situation while speaking to reporters before Toronto’s game against the New Jersey Devils . Berube revealed that Tanev hoped to return before the end of the season but eventually chose surgery after recovery attempts failed.
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“Yeah. Well, he wanted to try to come back and play this year, but it didn’t work out,” Berube said. “So, he got the operation, and it went successful and he’ll be ready for camp next year.”
Tanev appeared in only 11 games this season. The 36-year-old recorded two assists and 15 blocked shots during that span.
His injury problems began early in the season, when Tanev suffered a concussion in late October and later sustained another head injury in a collision with Matvei Michkov in early November. The second incident forced him off the ice on a stretcher. He returned in late December but played just three games before a groin injury sidelined him again.
By early 2026, the defenseman considered surgery after his recovery stalled, even during the Olympics.
Berube’s message for Maple Leafs players before the Devils game
Toronto enters its matchup against New Jersey with a 27-24-10 record and sits seventh in the Atlantic. They are sliding during a time of urgency and hope to end a four-game losing streak.
“Our goal is to get a win tonight, obviously,” Berube said. “And just like it was last game. You’ve got to keep fighting and grinding. You’ve got to have pride every night, every shift. Go out there and work your [expletive] off and play the right way.”
While Tanev’s season has ended, the team expects the veteran defender to return fully healthy when training camp begins in September.
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