Toronto Maple Leafs' player might have suffered season-ending injury

The Toronto Maple Leafs might be without one of their toughest defencemen for the remainder of the season. 

Chris Tanev has been limited to just 11 games this season and has missed the last three after suffering a groin injury against the Detroit Red Wings on Dec. 28. It's been a tough year for the 36-year-old, and new reports are saying that this injury could end his season. 

NHL insider David Pagnotta reported on Sunday that Tanev is expected to meet with a surgeon to determine next steps. If they elect to go with surgery, it will sideline him until April or May. 

Some tough #LeafsForever news: Chris Tanev's regular-season may be over. Per sources, Tanev is meeting with a surgeon in the coming week to determine next steps. If they move forward with surgery, he is expected to be out until late-April/early-May.

— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) January 4, 2026

Despite playing a tough style of hockey and regularly suffering from gruesome-looking injuries, Tanev has been shockingly healthy over the course of his career. He appeared in 75 games with the Leafs last season and has played at least 50 games in 11 of his previous 14 seasons. 

As Tanev crosses into his late 30s, his style of play is likely to start taking a toll on his body. 

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube updated the situation on Monday, confirming that this injury differs from Tanev's previous issues. 

"Possible surgery. This last injury is totally different," Berube told reporters. "He is going to get looked at this week on that." 

Leafs HC Craig Berube updates the media on the Leafs laundry list of injuries.

👉McCabe: Will miss about a week.
👉Tanev: Possible surgery. Unrelated to previous injury.
👉Stolarz: Skating individually, still indefinite.
👉Nylander: Day-to-day. Skating individually.
👉Carlo:… pic.twitter.com/AxXE2H43im

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2026

This is yet another blow for a Toronto team that is currently sitting dead last in the Atlantic Division, though only three points out of a playoff spot. Tanev joins a long list of players on the Leafs' IR, including Anthony Stolarz, William Nylander, Jake McCabe, Dakota Joshua, and Brandon Carlo. 

With more meetings scheduled with doctors this week, clarity on Tanev's status should be coming sooner rather than later.