NHL

Ice Chips: Maple Leafs D Tanev skates on third pairing at practice

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Toronto Maple Leafs


The struggling Maple Leafs have made a significant change to their defensive tandems at practice on Wednesday, putting veteran Chris Tanev on the third pairing alongside Dakota Mermis.

Tanev and regular partner Oliver Ekman-Larsson were on the ice for two goals against in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, the team's fourth straight regulation defeat on home ice.

Ekman-Larsson played alongside Troy Stecher at Wednesday's practice.

Forward Zack MacEwen was not at practice after leaving Tuesday's game with a wrist problem. 

Wednesday's Practice Lines - Mark Masters, TSN

F

Cowan - Matthews -  Roslovic
Tverberg - Tavares - Nylander
McKenna - Paul - Joshua
Duhaime - Blueger - McWard

D

McCabe - Raddysh
Ekman-Larsson - Stecher
Mermis - Tanev

G

Bobrovsky
Stolarz

PP units:

Raddysh, Matthews, Roslovic, Nylander, Tavares 

Ekman-Larsson, Tverberg, Paul, Cowan, McKenna 

The 36-year-old Tanev has just one assist over 10 games this season, his third in Toronto

Tanev missed most of October with an injury and sat out Sunday's loss to the New Jersey Devils due to "load management" reasons. 

Currently in the third year of a six-year, $27 million contract, Tanev played only 11 games in 2025-26 due to injury. 

The 8-10-2 Maple Leafs sit second last in the Atlantic Division through 20 games and have dropped six of their last seven games. They will close their six-game home stand against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday and Edmonton Oilers on Saturday, currently the second and third ranked teams in the NHL. 

Montreal Canadiens

Forwards Nick Suzuki and Jake Evans (Therapy Days)  did not participate in Wednesday's practice.

Suzuki briefly went to the locker room in the third period of Tuesday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild after blocking a shot, but returned in time to score the game-tying goal with just over one minute remaining.

Evans sustained a minor injury in practice earlier in the week but played on Tuesday.

Defenceman Mike Matheson rejoined the team for practice for the first time since sustaining a lower-body injury and will make the trip to Boston, although it's not confirmed if he will re-enter the lineup.

Goaltender Samuel Montembeault was also a full participant in practice but will not make the trip to Boston.

The team also announced that Jacob Fowler will start Thursday against the Boston Bruins. It will be his third-straight start after playing Saturday against the Maple Leafs and Tuesday against the Wild. 

Edmonton Oilers

Tristan Jarry will get the start for the Oilers on Wednesday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Devon Levi started Monday in a 3-1 win against the New York Rangers.

Jarry has a .902 save percentage and 2.57 GAA in eight starts this season.

Head coach Mike Babcock also said forward Matthew Savoie will play a few games in the minors as he continues his rehab from an injury that has held him out all season.

Defenceman Jake Walman will be a healthy scratch once again.

Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks reassigned winger Nico Myatovic to the AHL's San Diego Gulls.

The 21-year-old has played four NHL games this season and has not recorded a point. 

Dallas Stars

The Stars have recalled defenceman Trey Taylor from the AHL's Texas Stars.

The 24-year-old has not recorded a point in three NHL games this season.