News Maple Leafs Team Notes

Leafs practice notes: Chris Tanev likely to return Saturday night

The Toronto Maple Leafs practiced Friday for the first time since a tough 6-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday.

One of the first to hit the ice Friday was Chris Tanev, who skated alongside Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Tanev hasn’t played since exiting an October 21st contest against the New Jersey Devils after a collision with forward Dawson Mercer. He was later placed on IR retroactive to that date. After practice, Tanev shared he has cleared protocol and is likely to return Saturday night, per The Hockey News’ David Alter.

William Nylander and Calle Jarnkrok also skated with the team on Friday, slotting in on the first and fourth lines, respectively. Nylander has been in and out of the lineup over the past week, owing to an undisclosed injury suffered against the Buffalo Sabres last Friday. Practicing alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, Nylander shared he felt good Friday and will see how he feels ahead of tomorrow’s game.

Jarnkrok may also be back in the lineup tomorrow, skating on the fourth line with Max Domi and Sammy Blais. The Swede last appeared with the team last Saturday in a 4-3 OT victory over the Buffalo Sabres. He got off to a hot start this season with three goals through his first three games, but hasn’t earned a point in five games since.

Scott Laughton skated on Friday as an extra rotating through different spots in the lineup. The Oakville native has not appeared yet this season with the Leafs, owing to an injury suffered in the preseason. Now skating with the team, he looks to be on track to return soon. Fellow bottom-sixer Steven Lorentz was not at practice Friday after exiting the game on Wednesday with an upper-body injury. After practice, head coach Craig Berube said Laughton is doubtful to play tomorrow, while Lorentz is listed as day-to-day.

Meanwhile, goaltender Joseph Woll did not skate with the team on Friday, likely having remained in Toronto as he prepares for a possible AHL conditioning stint.

The Maple Leafs face off against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday for a Hockey Night in Canada showdown.

Here’s how the Leafs lined up at practice on Friday, per David Alter:

Forwards:

Matthew Knies – Auston Matthews – William Nylander

Matias Maccelli – John Tavares – Bobby McMann

Dakota Joshua – Nicolas Roy – Easton Cowan

Sammy Blais – Max Domi – Calle Jarnkrok

Extras (rotating): Nick Robertson, Scott Laughton

Defence:

Morgan Rielly – Brandon Carlo

Simon Benoit – Jake McCabe

Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Chris Tanev

Dakota Mermis – Philippe Myers

Goalies:

Anthony Stolarz, Cayden Primeau

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Source: https://theleafsnation.com/news/tor...tice-notes-chris-tanev-likely-return-saturday
 
Maple Leafs activate Chris Tanev from IR, Dakota Mermis assigned to AHL’s Marlies

Ahead of Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Toronto Maple Leafs have activated defenceman Chris Tanev from injured reserve. Dakota Mermis has been assigned to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.

Tanev participated in practice sessions leading up to Saturday’s game and is expected to be paired with Oliver Ekman-Larsson, while Jake McCabe will play alongside Simon Benoit. The 35-year-old was placed on injured reserve retroactive to October 21, after suffering a concussion during a 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils, following a collision with Dawson Mercer.

“When you’re sort of stunned and a little bit confused, it’s not ideal. But felt quite normal really soon after, which was nice,” Tanev said Friday via Sportsnet’s Luke Fox.

“I don’t think any one mimics another one. Sometimes your symptoms may last a while; sometimes they don’t. Sometimes they’re headaches; sometimes they’re just head pressure. Could be your mood. I mean, there’s so many different things a person can feel, and I don’t think any one is the same.”

Tanev recorded one assist through seven games this season, and he will certainly be welcomed back into the lineup, as the Maple Leafs’ rush defence continues to be a major area of concern thus far. Toronto has surrendered 31 goals at 5-on-5, the second-worst total in the NHL entering Saturday’s slate. Tanev recorded three goals and 18 points in 75 games last season, maintaining his reputation as one of the league’s elite defenders and shot-blockers, during his first year with the Maple Leafs.
Mermis played in one game for the Maple Leafs, logging 13:12 and a -2 rating during a 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on October 24.
William Nylander is ruled out of Saturday’s game with an unspecified injury. It appears unlikely at this juncture that Scott Laughton will suit up for Saturday’s contest against his former team, after leading the team’s stretch during Saturday’s morning skate.
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Source: https://theleafsnation.com/news/tor...nev-ir-dakota-mermis-assigned-toronto-marlies
 
Maple Leafs’ William Nylander will not play vs. Flyers, Anthony Stolarz projected to start

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander will not play in Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers, head coach Craig Berube confirmed to travelling reporters.

Nylander did not participate in the team’s morning skate. He will miss his third game of the year, briefly returning to the lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Calgary Flames, before being ruled out of Wednesday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Nylander leads the Maple Leafs in scoring with three goals and 15 points in nine games.

“It sucks,” Nylander said Friday via Sportsnet’s Luke Fox. “But, I mean, there’s nothing really I can do about it. It’s just gonna take some time. I don’t know. Maybe I play tomorrow. Maybe I don’t.”

Max Domi was placed on the top power play group in Nylander’s absence, joining Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Matthew Knies and Morgan Rielly. Nick Robertson could potentially rejoin the lineup, if Scott Laughton doesn’t play. Robertson could join Knies and Matthews on Toronto’s top line, as the team is still looking to find their ideal combinations.

Scott Laughton led the team’s stretch during morning skate. Laughton was acquired by the Maple Leafs from the Flyers at the 2025 trade deadline. The 31-year-old spent his entire career with the Flyers, after making the NHL as an 18-year-old during the 2012-13 campaign. Laughton has been on injured reserve to start the year, after suffering a lower-body injury during an October 2 preseason game against the Detroit Red Wings.

Anthony Stolarz is the projected starter for the Maple Leafs. Stolarz has posted a 3-4-1 record with a .886 save percentage to begin the year.

Maple Leafs’ projected lines vs. Flyers​


Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Max Domi

Bobby McMann-John Tavares-Matias Maccelli

Dakota Joshua-Nicolas Roy-Easton Cowan

Sammy Blais-Scott Laughton-Calle Jarnkrok

Morgan Rielly-Brandon Carlo

Simon Benoit-Jake McCabe

Oliver Ekman-Larsson-Chris Tanev

Anthony Stolarz (projected starter)

Cayden Primeau
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Source: https://theleafsnation.com/news/tor...t-play-flyers-anthony-stolarz-projected-start
 
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