It will be another “planned maintenance” night for Chris Tanev as the veteran Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman won’t be in the lineup for Thursday’s game against the visiting Minnesota Wild.
Cole McWard, who only has 10 games of NHL experience since debuting in 2023-24, will take Tanev’s spot in the lineup.
The 36-year-old Tanev also missed Sunday’s 4-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils due to load management as new general manager John Chayka attempts to keep the oft-injured blueliner healthy.
Tanev, currently in the third season of a six-year, $27 million contract, made it clear he’s not a fan of how management plans on using him, but understands the reasoning.
“Yeah, it is what it is,” Tanev said Monday. “I mean, don’t agree with it, but I understand where he’s coming from. Haven’t really been healthy for the last year, so I think he wants me to be able to play in January and February and March. So, yeah, I guess being available during that stretch will benefit the team and I do think John wants what’s best for me too as well.”
The Toronto native only played 11 games last season due to multiple injuries, including a concussion, and has already missed significant time this season due to an upper-body injury.
Tanev has tallied just one assist over 10 games in 2026-27 and was spending time on the team’s third defensive pairing during practice on Wednesday.
The struggling Maple Leafs have dropped six of their last seven games, including the first four games of their current six-game homestand, all in regulation.