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Given the choice of pucks that experience smacked off his physique over the years, Chris Tanev used to be requested if he’s at all times had a top ache threshold that defines him as an NHL participant.
His response: a shrug of the shoulders.
“I don’t know. Everyone has it. It’s hockey,” Tanev mentioned.
“It’s what guys live and breathe. And obviously things happen along the way. Either you can play or you can’t. And I mean, that’s just part of the game.”
Sacrificing your physique to the level he does, although it manner diving headfirst in entrance of pucks touring 100 mph? It could be a part of his recreation, however now not that of maximum gamers. In reality, his braveness in doing no matter it takes to assist the workforce has many across the League shaking their heads in awe.
Just ask Treliving, who made touchdown Tanev in unfastened company a concern for the Maple Leafs this offseason.
On Oct. 10, 2020, the rugged defenseman signed a four-year, $18 million contract ($4.5 million AAV) with Calgary when Treliving used to be the overall supervisor there. Tanev had performed his first 10 NHL seasons with the Canucks after signing as an undrafted unfastened agent on May 31, 2010, a physique of labor that inspired Treliving sufficient to woo him to the Flames.
Four years later the 2 are reunited once more. In reality, his want to assist convey Tanev to Toronto is mirrored by way of the truth that the Maple Leafs received the unique negotiating rights to Tanev from the Stars for ahead prospect Max Ellis and a seventh-round select within the 2026 NHL Draft on June 29, 3 days prior to the hole of unfastened company.
“He’s simply an elite defensive participant,” Treliving mentioned. “You know, we speak about offensive gamers seeing performs early. He does the similar factor however at the defensive aspect of the puck.
“He’s an absolute warrior. He’s a culture carrier for your room. I know the age he’s at. But I think even in the last year he showed he’s one of the top shutdown defensemen, one of the top defensive players, in the League. And he’s a right shot. He embodies everything you want in a teammate.”
Tanev tied for 3rd within the NHL remaining season with 207 blocked pictures (Brayden McNabb, Vegas Golden Knights), then led the League with 73 within the playoffs. It’s precisely the sacrifice-your-body-for-the-sake-of-the-team means that brings a grin to the face of latest trainer Craig Berube.
“Heart-and-soul guy,” Berube mentioned of Tanev. “Team guy. Lays it on the line every night as you guys know. You watch him play.”
Tanev has 190 issues (33 objectives, 157 assists) in 792 regular-season video games and 13 issues (one function, 12 assists) in 60 playoff video games. He’s fast to mention his specialty isn’t offense, as mirrored by way of the ones numbers.
Chris Stamkos recollects one night time when Tanev, then with the Canucks, confirmed no concern in stepping in entrance of one in all Steven’s deadly pictures in a recreation in opposition to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“He stuck his hand out and broke it,” Chris Stamkos mentioned. “I joked with him that it would have been a lot less painful had he not stuck it out and just let Steven score. But that’s not Chris. He’s going to do whatever it takes to win.”
That philosophy has left Tanev with numerous facial bruises, a lot of enamel scattered on ice surfaces across the NHL and an indicator smile that includes one lone teeth.
In Game 5 of the Western Conference Second Round between the Stars and Colorado Avalanche remaining season, for instance, Tanev used to be hit within the mouth by way of the shoulder of Avalanche ahead Nathan MacKinnon throughout the sport’s first shift and temporarily scampered to the dressing room. He returned a number of shifts later.
After the sport, it used to be published that MacKinnon’s hit driven in one in all Tanev’s enamel, inflicting running shoes to develop into impromptu dentists and pull it so he may just go back.
“He doesn’t have many teeth left,” Stars trainer Pete DeBoer mentioned with a snigger. “He did not have many first of all.”
DeBoer’s admiration for Tanev’s braveness persevered to develop within the Western Conference Final in opposition to the Edmonton Oilers. Drilled in the precise foot by way of a shot from Oilers ahead Evander Kane in Game 4, he neglected many of the ultimate two sessions and left Rogers Place in a strolling boot. Yet when the puck dropped for Game 5 two days later, he used to be again within the lineup.
“Not only can he play through a remarkable amount of pain, he sets such a win-at-all-costs example for his teammates,” DeBoer mentioned.
The Maple Leafs be expecting him to do the similar in Toronto, the place he skated with Morgan Rielly throughout the summer time as a part of what is predicted to be the Maple Leafs’ most sensible protection pair.
“I think he’s just a great piece,” Rielly mentioned. “I believe any workforce within the League that has Chris Tanev straight away turns into a lot more potent.
“There’s no two ways about it. He’s improved our defense. He’s improved our penalty kill. He’s overnight made our D-core better, made our entire team better. And what’s encouraging is that he’s excited to be here.”
Why wouldn’t he be? He is, finally, coming house.
“It’s special to be back, to be close to family and the group of friends who I’ve had since I was 15,” Tanev mentioned.
As for the highlight that is going with being within the hockey fishbowl of Toronto, he mentioned he were given some shrewd recommendation from his teacher, former Maple Leafs ahead Gary Roberts.
“He said to take it in stride and enjoy all aspects of it, from family to the fans,” Tanev mentioned. “He mentioned taking part in right here used to be the most productive time of his profession.”
Though Tanev grew up a Detroit Red Wings fan, his allegiances clearly have modified over the years.
“To put at the Leafs jersey is an honor. An enormous one,” he said. “And to be again at house, round circle of relatives, I will consider how loopy this the town would move if the Leafs gained a name.
“I need to be a part of that.”
