Leafs’ Tanev says all signs point to return Saturday against Canucks

VANCOUVER – Chris Tanev, the 36-year-old defenceman for the Toronto Maple Leafs, is set to return from injury when the teams face off against his former club, the Vancouver Canucks, on Saturday. Tanev, who has been sidelined since an upper-body injury suffered during a game against the Colorado Avalanche on October 10, has been spotted practicing alongside Morgan Rielly on Friday.

"All signs are pointing that way for sure," Tanev expressed regarding his potential return. His absence has been brief, as he only played five shifts in the first period of the game against the Avalanche. Despite not disclosing the specifics of his injury, Tanev stated that it was not related to spine, groin, or concussion problems that had limited him to only 11 games during the previous season.

Earlier this week, his status had been upgraded from week-to-week to day-to-day. Tanev, who began his NHL career with the Vancouver Canucks, has contributed 36 goals and 175 assists in 884 career games across Vancouver, Calgary, Dallas, and Toronto. The Maple Leafs are currently without John Tavares and Kirill Marchenko, two top-six forwards dealing with lower-body injuries.

Tavares, 36, has been out since October 15, while Marchenko, 26, was hurt during a game against the Calgary Flames on Monday after being hit by Yegor Sharangovich. Marchenko fell awkwardly, favoring his left knee as he returned to the bench. The Maple Leafs continue to rely on Tanev, who has already accumulated one assist in six games this season.