Chris Tanev Reveals His Honest Opinion About Playing With The Toronto Maple Leafs
Chris Tanev has been a pleasant surprise for the Maple Leafs and recently commented on just how happy he is to be wearing the blue and white.
A lot of questions came about when Toronto acquired the rights to sign Chris Tanev, wondering if the veteran defender was going to be worth the cost especially since he signed such a lucrative deal.
He's been fantastic this season and part of the Maple Leafs' revamped defense. His tandem with Jake McCabe has been one of the league's best, and his ability to block shots and control the defensive zone is crucial for Toronto on a nightly basis.
Chris Tanev Loves Hockey And Loves The Maple Leafs
Given how much he loves the city it wasn't surprising to hear that Tanev had nothing but praise for the team. When mic'd up, Tanev spoke about how important the game of hockey is and what it means to play it for his childhood team:
I've never had more fun playing than I am now."
It's been an up and down road for the veteran, dealing with injuries and struggling with his previous teams. He noted that the vibes are much different now coming to the rink, and the change is a hugely positive one:
So, I mean, I definitely don't take any days for granted anymore."
It's great to know Tanev is having fun when he gets to the rink and on the ice it shows. Despite suffering a lower-body injury that kept him out of Toronto's final game before Christmas, he's been fantastic.
He's registered one goal and nine assists so far, but his offensive capabilities aren't where his strengths lie. A shot-blocking monster, Tanev has 99 blocks so far this season, and averages over three a game.
Part of a new-look Maple Leafs defense, he has been the main game-changer when it comes to the blueline. It's hard to imagine where the team would be without him, and he's been one of the team's most consistent players.
Chris Tanev has been great in his first season with the Maple Leafs, and if he can continue his dominance on the defensive side, he could find himself lifting the Stanley Cup come the summer.
