Chris Tanev wants to be ready for training camp, but Jim Hiller still doesn't know if the veteran defenseman will receive medical clearance.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are closing in on camp with Tanev's status still unresolved. He says he's feeling good, yet the final call remains in the hands of doctors.
Tanev indicated another medical discussion is expected within the next week or two. His target hasn't changed: he wants to be available when the Leafs officially get back on the ice.
That makes his clearance one of the biggest lineup questions facing Hiller before his first training camp behind Toronto's bench. The Leafs need to know whether Tanev can immediately handle regular work on the blue line.
The 36-year-old also made clear that his rehabilitation hasn't been easy. He's confident in the work he's completed, but acknowledged there are still boxes that must be checked before a return.
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That distinction matters. Feeling ready and being cleared for full NHL contact aren't always the same thing, especially for a defenseman whose game demands difficult minutes and plenty of work around the crease.
Toronto may need a backup plan for Chris Tanev
If Tanev isn't cleared when camp opens, Hiller could be forced to redistribute defensive assignments immediately. That would create an early opportunity for another right-shot option to grab more practice reps.
Toronto doesn't need Tanev forcing the issue in September. The bigger goal is getting him back into the lineup without turning a difficult rehabilitation into another interruption.
Still, his absence would be felt. Tanev's defensive approach gives the Leafs a different element on the back end, particularly when shifts become heavy below the circles and along the boards.
The encouraging part is that Tanev remains determined to return. He spoke positively about playing, being around teammates and continuing the work required to get himself ready.
But until doctors sign off, Hiller can't build his opening setup around an assumption. Toronto may enter camp with Tanev preparing for action while simultaneously keeping another defensive option ready.
The next medical evaluation now carries real weight. A clearance would settle one major question before puck drop on camp. Anything else would force Hiller to adjust his blue line before the season even begins.
Should the Maple Leafs hold Chris Tanev out until he is fully cleared?
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