TORONTO — Chris Tanev won’t be campaigning for the job opening, but everyone else in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ dressing room will be happy to write him a reference letter.
Hockey Canada has a slew of ready and willing options to sub in at right defence now that Alex Pietrangelo has pulled out of the 4 Nations Face-Off, citing an ailment.
But, according to Craig Berube, who has coached both men, Tanev checks the boxes.
“He’d be a great fit,” Berube said Wednesday. “I mean, looking at their lineup and everything, and what Tanny brings, Petro brings a lot of that too.
“With the penalty killing and the shutdown stuff — Tanny, that’s his baby. He’s very good at that role, so it would probably be a good fit for him.”
Canada’s other replacement candidates — MacKenzie Weegar, Dougie Hamilton, Evan Bouchard, Aaron Ekblad, and a soon-to-be-healthy Drew Doughty — all have their merits.
We’d be foolish to suggest that any one of those right-shot workhorses would be a bad pick.
But the selflessness, quiet leadership, and commitment to the unglamorous aspects of the game make Tanev an ideal choice. That the undrafted 35-year-old has already played for, and endeared himself to, three fervent Canadian markets only enhances his status as an easy-to-root-for figure.
To say nothing of Tanev’s willingness to literally throw his face in front of oncoming pucks and leaguewide reputation as a favourite teammate.
(We’re partial to the golden résumé of Doughty, too, but are a touch concerned about his ability to match the pace of NHL forwards revving at midseason speed.)
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4 Nations Face-Off
With the inaugural edition of the 4 Nations Face-Off fast approaching, be sure to catch up on all the latest news about the highly-anticipated best-on-best event. Puck drops on Feb. 12, 2025, on Sportsnet.
“The way he plays defensively, PKing and blocking shots, has a lot of value,” says teammate William Nylander, who will suit up for Team Sweden. “I think that sometimes goes underappreciated. What he does every night is just incredible.
“He doesn’t say much. But some games he’ll be a little pissed off coming into the locker record after a period or whatever, telling us to step up defensively. I think that’s good.”
Tanev ranks third leaguewide with 132 blocks. He skates 20 minutes a night, always head-to-head against the opposition’s top line. He makes every partner better. And he’s a significant reason for the Leafs’ year-over-year improvement on the penalty kill — from 23rd to 12th overall.
Most impressive, though, is that despite stating a career-high 74.6 per cent of his shifts in the defensive zone and getting no power-play time, Tanev has chipped in 13 assists and leads all Toronto skaters with a plus-18 rating.
“He means a lot to this team overall, just the calmness he brings on the ice with the puck and obviously what he does defensively,” says Team Canada’s Mitch Marner. “I mean, he plays against the best people every night, usually starts in the D zone, and is always up for the challenge. Eats a lot of pucks as well.”
Tanev himself downplays his candidacy, which is on brand for one of the humblest players you’ll meet.
When pressed, however, he’ll acknowledge that representing his country would be a dream and that he has already has a conversation with Leafs GM Brad Treliving about the possibility.
“Whatever happens, happens,” said Tanev, after learning of Pietrangelo’s decision. “Just focused on here (with the Leafs) right now and setting ourselves up the last five games before the break.
“(Team Canada) is not really what I’m focused on. The day-to-day stuff here is extremely important to me, just trying to get ourselves to where we need to be.”
Tanev is saying all the right things. His actions speak louder.
In Toronto’s six games against Team Canada GM Don Sweeney’s Bruins and Team Canada coach Jon Cooper’s Lightning, Tanev went plus-9, put up five points, and his Leafs have gone 5-0-1.
“From my perspective, he’s a huge part in us winning games,” raves Bobby McMann.
“Blocking shots, good sticks, always being in front of their guys, and then making that great first pass. I think that’s always overlooked as a huge skill in this league. So, I think it’s definitely a big consideration (for Canada).”
Sure, Tanev doesn’t have a Cup ring. He doesn’t have as long of a history with Hockey Canada as some of the other replacement options. But the one time he did wear the Red and White, at the 2016 IIHF world championship, he did fly home with a gold medal.
What Tanev brings is certainty and dependability. A sharp mind and veins of ice. A heart on the sleeve and a body in the lane.
“Very professional. Very consistent,” Berube says. “I get the same thing every night from him. He’s got great composure with the puck too. Like, he makes a lot of little plays out there that maybe go unnoticed a lot of times. But you know you’re getting the same guy every night.”
Not only would Tanev be the safest pick. He might be the smartest.
And most Canadian.
