Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev was hospitalized following a collision with another player during Saturday night’s 5-2 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers, as confirmed by head coach Craig Berube. The incident occurred when Tanev and Philadelphia forward Matvei Michkov collided with 11:37 remaining in the game, resulting in Tanev’s head snapping back upon impact and him remaining on the ice.
Medical staff promptly attended to Tanev, stabilizing his head and neck before transporting him off the ice on a stretcher. This unfortunate event unfolded during Tanev’s return to the game after missing four matches due to a concussion. Michkov received a minor penalty for interference in relation to the collision.
Post-game, Berube revealed that Tanev was taken to a Philadelphia hospital for evaluation. Despite the scare, Tanev displayed movement in all extremities, and there was a possibility of him accompanying the team back to Toronto. Berube expressed optimism about Tanev’s condition, stating, “He’s responsive, and I anticipate he will recover. Medical assessments are ongoing, so we await the results. There’s a chance he may travel home with us.”
Tanev had contributed an assist on a goal by Jake McCabe during the game. Teammate Auston Matthews, who also scored in the match, shared his concern, emphasizing Tanev’s importance to the team and the unsettling sight of seeing a stretcher being brought out. Matthews conveyed the team’s support, stating, “It’s a difficult situation because he’s a key member of our team. Whenever a stretcher is involved, it’s a worrying moment. Our thoughts are with him, and we hope for a positive outcome.”