"Tanev joined his teammates for the morning skate, taking part in drills and moving well while avoiding any physical battles. For a player who plays such a hard and honest style, simply being back with the group is a major step forward. The Leafs have been cautious with his recovery, and seeing him skate again shows that he is trending in the right direction."
"Wearing the non-contact jersey means he is not cleared for full practice or game action just yet. The Leafs are taking the slow and smart approach, especially given how important Tanev is in tough matchups and shot-blocking situations. He plays some of the most punishing minutes on the team, and rushing him back would make no sense. His absence has forced the Leafs to shuffle their defence pairs and rely heavily on depth players."
Chris Tanev skated with teammates in a red non-contact jersey for the first time since suffering an upper-body injury on November 1. He participated in drills and moved well while avoiding physical battles, indicating progress in his recovery without clearance for contact. The Maple Leafs are intentionally cautious given his role in heavy defensive minutes, shot-blocking and matchup responsibilities. His absence forced defensive pair adjustments and greater reliance on depth players, reducing defensive structure and calm in pressure situations. No exact timeline exists for full clearance, but on-ice participation represents the most significant step toward a return.
Read at Editor In Leaf
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