May 5, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Chris Tanev (8) skates against the Florida Panthers during the second period of game one in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena

Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking for blueline help after Chris Tanev’s re-injury, according to a report.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly looking to add on defense following the recent injury to Chris Tanev that has the Leafs seeking additional help, a new report outlines.

Tanev, who was attempting to work back into the Leafs lineup following an injury suffered on Dec. 28th against the Detroit Red Wings, faced his second major injury only days after returning to the lineup after another injury earlier in the season.

A report from David Pagnotta of ‘The Fourth Period‘ said that Tanev was expected to elect surgery and in doing so could be out for the rest of the regular season.

The 36-year-old Tanev has been limited to just 11 games this season for Toronto, and isn’t the only Leaf on the sidelines, with Jake McCabe and Dakota Mermis also dealing with injuries.

With the losses on the Leafs blueline, and continuous struggles with the team’s health, it appears that Toronto is working to see what options exist on the trade market.

Leafs looking into defensive trade with Tanev’s potential season-ending surgery

According to a report from TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, the Toronto Maple Leafs have gone back in listening to trade offers that could net them a defenseman.

The Leafs had been linked to potential defensive adds earlier in the season, with Calgary’s Rasmus Andersson a name who has been linked to Toronto sporadically throughout the season.

Elliotte Friedman reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs had looked at defenseman Egor Zamula, who ultimately was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, but later had his contract terminated in order to sign a one-year deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

With Tanev potentially out for the season, a hole exists that the Leafs can fill with an addition, with Tanev’s salary coming off the books if he’s moved to LTIR and misses the rest of the regular season.

Likely at this point to make a deal somewhere, Toronto looks poised to add on defense amid uncertainty over the strength of their current blueline.

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