Chris Tanev's Early Season Sacrifices Will Lead to Long-Term Success for the Maple Leafs
Chris Tanev seemingly has one mindset when he gets on the ice: "How can I block as many shots as possible?" It's a sacrifice that could pay off for the Maple Leafs.
Known as a shot-blocking monster, Chris Tanev was signed to the Maple Leafs this offseason to shore up a crucial hole on the blueline and so far, he's been as advertised, leading the NHL so far in blocked shots this year; as well as tying the record for most blocked shots in a game by a Toronto player with seven against Tampa Bay.
Tanev's shots blocked last season would surpass the entirety of the Maple Leafs defense from a year ago, being nearly 50 blocks ahead of last year's team leader T.J. Brodie. He would be what GM Brad Treliving would call an "unsexy" player, and what he offers is a sacrifice that many Toronto players are at first hesitant to make. Tanev sees it as the quickest, and easiest way to disrupt any potential offense, and for his career, Tanev has 1686 blocked shots, leading him to be 25th all-time in the NHL and 13th amongst current players.
Fans too appreciate Tanev's fearlessness, often making humorous comparisons due to his propensity for blocking shots:
Toronto's Playoff Demons Demand Sacrifice
The curse of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the playoffs feels like it's going to be an eternal one, as year after year the team consistently fails and disappoints. No matter the changes, it's Groundhog Day for the Maple Leafs, and with another heartbreaking first-round loss looming in their future, something drastic needs to be done.
Well, short of yet another roster move, perhaps it will be Tanev who can help exorcise those demons. Toronto hasn't had a player so willing to lay themselves out and put themselves on the line for the team in a very long time. They've had good defenders, but they haven't had that literal sacrificial lamb on the ice who can turn the tide of games.
If Toronto is going to succeed in crucial games, especially if it comes down to an elimination game, it would be in Toronto's best interest to keep Tanev on the ice as long as possible before he scuttles to the bench for a breather and a quick ice-pack break. Tanev having 174 blocks in 60 playoff games is a massive positive that Toronto has someone who can mean the difference between win and loss.
Will It Matter For The Maple Leafs?
The question of "Will it matter for the Maple Leafs" is a big one, and one you can't confidently answer yet. However, with early season blues already kicking in, Tanev's ability to keep the game closer with his relentless disregard for his body should not only be commended and applauded, but understood as something deeper.
Chris Tanev is the ultimate team player. By sacrificing his body and putting wins ahead of health he risks injury every time he steps on the ice. But when it matters most, the difference between a Stanley Cup and another early vacation relies on Chris Tanev's sacrifices.
