Chris Tanev's Historic Run with the Leafs Makes Him a Strong Candidate for Team Canada's Roster
Chris Tanev has been an absolute monster for the Maple Leafs this season and is making a strong case to be on Team Canada's blueline.
A lot of hype and a lot of questions came around the signing of Chris Tanev this summer.
Yes, Toronto was smart in signing one of the league's elite shutdown defenders, but at his age was it worth it?
All signs so far point to yes, as Tanev has been as advertised and has been a huge factor in why Toronto has completely transformed into a shot-blocking and defensively sound unit.
His pairing with Jake McCabe has been fantastic, as the duo has combined to be a tenacious pairing who hound opponents and block everything put in their way be it a puck or a body.
So with him playing so well and being a key part of the Maple Leafs defense, he could very well find himself donning another leaf but this time, the red and white.
Leading the league with 3.5 blocks a game and on pace to break the NHL record for most blocked shots in a season, his blocked shots total would not only be the most in Maple Leafs history but outpace Tanev's career high of 207.
Speaking to The Athletic's Jonas Siegel about his block-heavy nature, Tanev was his usual humble but joking self:
Tanev's willingness to put his body on the line is not only admirable but a crucially important part of success in hockey.
If the puck can't get to the net, how can they go in?
His partner Jake McCabe said it boils down to acceptance that not only is it gonna hurt, but it's gonna help:
It's a trait that could hugely benefit Team Canada during their 4 Nations Faceoff Tournament.
Tanev should get an honest look and personally deserves a spot over Evan Bouchard, Devon Toews, or Noah Dobson.
Not to say those players aren't great, but Tanev offers an elite ability in one of the hardest parts of the game.
He saves nearly 1.3 goals a game, and that's the difference between a win and a loss.
It's that willingness Jake McCabe mentioned that can drive Team Canada to a win.
The only thing now is to see if GM Don Sweeney holds Tanev's defense in high enough regard to give him a spot; Tanev deserves it.
