Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs have gotten some key reinforcements back as they have activated Chris Tanev for Friday’s game and assigned Dakota Mermis to the Marlies.
Needing as much help as they can possibly get as they try to turn things around against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to be getting a very important player back.
Chris Tanev Activated From Injured Reserve as Dakota Mermis Heads to the Marlies
According to the team’s official PR account on X, the team has activated defenseman Chris Tanev off the injured reserve, and subsequently assigned defender Dakota Mermis to the Toronto Marlies (AHL).
Tanev was seen skating at practices recently, and there was a hope that he would be healthy enough to play against the Flyers and seemingly with this latest move, they are ready to welcome him back.
The veteran defender has been as solid as ever this season, with one assist, eight blocks, and a plus-3 rating in seven games so far.
Mermis skated in one game for the team, registering no points and ending his game with a minus-2 rating, no blocks and no hits.
Over the past few games when Tanev has been absent, the defense has seemingly crumbled without him, as they have let a total of 17 goals get through them, and while the goaltending does play a part, a lot of the defense has been caught unaware.
Hopefully Tanev’s return can draw them back in, but right now with the team needing a spark, it might be a couple of games before he gets back with his old defensive partner in Jake McCabe, and could be a great asset for Oliver Ekman-Larsson for the time being.
Mermis heading back to the Marlies isn’t too surprising and given that the Maple Leafs have a couple other players who they could bring up instead, he may find himself on waivers soon enough.
Tanev’s return is going to be one that is unfortunately a bit overshadowed by the finale of the World Series between the Blue Jays and Dodgers, however there’s still a lot of excitement around how he’ll settle the team down.
Fans will get a chance to see Tanev back on the ice Friday when the team takes on the Philadelphia Flyers on the road; the game is scheduled for 7PM ET.
This is a developing story. More details to come.
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