"Frankly, there was some concern about Tanev and age-related decline when he first signed his last contract with Brad Treliving as a part of the Flames back in 2020. By certain metrics, Tanev seemed to already be in a steep decline, prompting fears of a Marc-Edouard Vlasic-style albatross contract. Instead, he's played some of the best hockey of his career, carrying strong play from his time with the Flames through his debut Maple Leafs season."
"Despite beginning a career-high 74.4-percent of his shifts in the defensive zone, the Maple Leafs and serving as a primary penalty-killer, Toronto scored eight more goals with the 35-year-old on the ice than they allowed. Traditionalists drool over physicality, but great defensive-defenseman do a lot more than intimidate. He truly earns his shutdown moniker by keeping chances to the outside, while also possessing undervalued skill when it comes to denying zone entries."
Chris Tanev has defied age-related expectations and produced some of the best hockey of his career since signing in 2020, carrying that form into his Maple Leafs debut. He began a career-high 74.4 percent of his shifts in the defensive zone and served as a primary penalty-killer while Toronto outscored opponents by eight goals with him on the ice. Tanev excels at keeping chances to the outside, denying zone entries, and making breakout passes that simplify defensive responsibilities. He is not an electric scorer, but positional intelligence and self-awareness sustain his shutdown role.
Read at Editor In Leaf
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