Chris Tanev has been absent from the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup since November 1st, following a hit by Matvei Michkov that resulted in an injury. This incident marked Tanev’s second stint on injured reserve this season and occurred in his very first game back from a previous ailment.

The recurring nature of these issues has left the fanbase understandably concerned about Tanev’s long-term health, particularly given that this appeared to be his second head injury of the campaign.

Kypreos Reports Potential Surgery for Tanev

Fresh reporting from Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos suggests that the situation may be more complex than initially hoped. According to Kypreos, Tanev may require surgery to fully resolve the lingering injury issues.

Kypreos shared the following update:

🚨Per Kyper:

Tanev/the team are considering whether or not he will have some sort of structural surgery that will help him return, a decision on that will be made this week. If he does lean towards having surgery, the hope would be for him to return before end of regular season.

— Willyston Riellander (@nylanderthews) December 9, 2025

The Timeline Dilemma: Surgery vs. Rehab

The implication from Kypreos is that while Tanev could potentially return without going under the knife, that route offers no guaranteed timeline for healing. Conversely, opting for surgery would likely establish a clearer recovery window, potentially ensuring Tanev returns before the regular season concludes.

For the Leafs management, an exact timeline for their veteran defender would be ideal for trade deadline planning and roster management. However, the organization must weigh this against the major consideration of his long-term quality of life.

Prioritizing Health Over a Playoff Push

There is no doubt that Tanev solidifies the Maple Leafs’ defense with his sheer presence and shot-blocking ability. However, fielding a compromised version of the defender, one forced to play a restricted or hesitant style, could prove dangerous. The last thing anyone wants to see is Tanev returning to the lineup at anything less than 100%, risking further, perhaps permanent, medical issues.

For Leafs fans, this narrative feels eerily similar to the injury troubles that prematurely ended Jake Muzzin’s playing career. Avoiding a repeat of that scenario should be the franchise’s top priority. Even for a warrior like Tanev, the hope is that he prioritizes himself over the team, just this once.