TORONTO — The Maple Leafs updated the status of injured defenceman Chris Tanev, and it’s not good.
“Chris Tanev’s gonna miss some time, significant time,” Leafs coach Craig Berube said Wednesday.
Berube said the 36-year-old suffered a groin injury in the third period of a Sunday night overtime loss in Detroit. “Kind of a freak thing more than anything,” the coach said. “It’s one of those things that happens. It’s unfortunate for him. You feel for him, what he’s gone through this year.”
the Chris Tanev energy pic.twitter.com/y1FG6YAnFd
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 31, 2025
Tanev — who has played in only 11 games all season — has already had two separate (but related) injury-related absences, totalling 28 games.
The game he played on Sunday was only his third back in the lineup following an absence that began on Nov. 1.
“It’s tough,” Berube said. “He wants to be out there helping the team. It’s been hard on him.”
The Leafs are still determining a plan of care for Tanev.
Still, the team did get a glimmer of hope with injured goaltender Anthony Stolarz on Wednesday morning. Stolarz, 31, skated for the first time since he suffered an undisclosed injury in Boston more than seven weeks ago.
However, there remains no timetable for Stolarz’s return to the net.
The crease will continue to be manned for the foreseeable future by Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby.
Dakota Joshua, meanwhile, will remain in Detroit with family until the New Year before heading back to Toronto. Joshua suffered an internal injury to his kidney in Sunday’s game against the Red Wings and had to remain there in the aftermath.
He was doing “better,” according to Berube. “But again, he’s (going to miss) significant time.”
this is what is keeping Dakota Joshua out of the game pic.twitter.com/tC47UBqIWk
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 31, 2025
The injury news didn’t end there: Auston Matthews took part in an optional practice Wednesday morning and could be available to play on Thursday night against the Winnipeg Jets.
Matthews is expected to take part in the morning skate before a determination on his status is made.
“Hopefully he’s in there tomorrow,” Berube said.
The Leafs captain missed his team’s Tuesday night win over the New Jersey Devils with a foot injury.
Also sidelined for the game was the team’s leading scorer, William Nylander. Unlike Matthews, Nylander didn’t skate on Wednesday. He didn’t skate on Tuesday either and looks to be in jeopardy of missing a third straight game.
While they’ve lost Tanev for an extended period, the Leafs may have fellow righty, Brandon Carlo, back soon. Carlo continues to skate with the team and might be available to return Saturday in New York from a foot injury that’s kept him out since the middle of November.
“He’s close,” Berube said.