Tanev, Nylander returns should give Maple Leafs needed boost

 PHILADELPHIA — The way things have been going defensively for the Toronto Maple Leafs these days, Chris Tanev only needed to utter three words to provide a little dash of hope:

“I feel good,†the clubâ€s best pure defender said Friday, following a full practice at the Philadelphia Flyers practice facility.

Tanev has now checked off all the boxes in his return-to-play protocol after suffering a concussion 10 days ago against New Jersey.

The blue-liner took a Dawson Mercer helmet to the head during a net-front battle and looked woozy skating off the ice. The Leafs lost that night and managed just one regulation win in their three games since, against the last-place Calgary Flames.

“When you’re sort of stunned and a little bit confused, it’s not ideal. But felt quite normal really soon after, which was nice,†said Tanev, who has suffered a concussion before.

“I donâ€t think any one mimics another one. Sometimes your symptoms may last a while; sometimes they donâ€t. Sometimes theyâ€re headaches; sometimes they’re just head pressure. Could be your mood. I mean, there’s so many different things a person can feel, and I don’t think any one is the same.â€

Tanev projects to slot in alongside Oliver Ekman-Larsson and has a history of executing the calm, safe, detailed defensive plays that have been lacking lately from Torontoâ€s game.

“Doing the little things really well. Being hungry. Working for each other. Having numbers around pucks,†Tanev stressed.

“I mean, the little things win games a lot of the time. And you do those things right, it gives the ability for your superstars to make a play when you need a play to be made.â€

The most super of those stars this season, William Nylander, was another welcome sight at practice Friday.

Nylander has missed two of Torontoâ€s past three games while managing a lower-body injury he confirms was caused by Jason Zuckerâ€s cross-check in Buffalo a week ago. 

Whether Nylander plays Saturday depends how he feels when he wakes up.

The leading scorer and the staff are balancing rest and treatment with the importance of dressing the Leafs†premier game-breaker.

“He wants to play. But at the same time, he doesnâ€t want to put himself in a bad situation, either for himself or the team,†coach Craig Berube said.

“Heâ€s an important guy, obviously. And if he says heâ€s willing, heâ€s ready to play, and he wants to play, I want him in the lineup.â€

Given a three-day break since contributing to the win over the Flames, Nylander said he feels much better. This is the first time in five years that an injury has kept the winger out of multiple regular-season games.

“It sucks. But, I mean, there’s nothing really I can do about it. Itâ€s just gonna take some time. I donâ€t know. Maybe I play tomorrow. Maybe I donâ€t.â€

Contemplating the performance that has Toronto loitering around the Atlantic Division basement, Nylander sees great stretches of hockey that have been undone by taking unnecessary chances, which opponents capitalize on. 

“I think itâ€s an easy fix. Like, we are making stupid mistakes, giving up those kinds of chances,†Nylander said.  “The positive thing with that is, just donâ€t need to make stupid plays, and weâ€ll be good.â€

Well, the return of Tanev should signal an increase in smart plays.

One-Timers: Ex-Flyer Scott Laughton was a full participant in practice and is “real close,†per Berube, to making his season debut. Still, heâ€s unlikely to be in uniform for his video tribute Saturday. “We don’t need to rush him now,†Berube says, “after heâ€s been out as long as he has.â€â€¦ Calle Järnkrok (foot) has the greenlight to play, but do you scratch Nick Robertson after heâ€s put up three points in three games? Or Sammy Blais after a two-point debut?… Nylander on what he appreciates most about the 2025 Blue Jays: “Everybody’s just buying in and chipping in every way they can. And thatâ€s what successful teams do. Everybody finds a way to chip in.â€â€¦ Steven Lorentz did not practice. He is day-to-day with the upper-body injury suffered Wednesday in Columbus…. Joseph Woll is not traveling with the team.

Maple Leafs projected lineup Saturday in Philadelphia:

Knies – Matthews – Nylander
Maccelli – Tavares – McMann 
Joshua – Roy – Cowan 
Blais – Domi – Järnkrok

Rielly – Carlo
Benoit – McCabe
Ekman-Larsson – Tanev

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