Chris Tanev discloses what he'll bring to Leafs

It's a critical offseason for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who not only have major decisions looming with regard to the futures of Core 4 members John Tavares and Mitch Marner, but also have to field the best possible team for the 2024-25 season while the pair are still under contract. 

In the meantime, they've made a handful of additions to the current roster including defenseman Chris Tanev and goaltender Anthony Stolarz while also re-signing forward Max Domi to a new contract. The pact with Tanev, whom GM Brad Treliving knows well from their days with the Calgary Flames, is for six years and $27 million. 

Known for his physical style of play, Tanev explained earlier today during an interview with Sportsnet 590 The Fan that it's something that Leafs fans can look forward to. 

"That's what I've been doing most of my career now, it's second nature," he said. "I'm going to take a lot of d-zone faceoffs against the other teams' top players, I'm going to PK a lot - that's just what my role in the league has evolved into. Every player when they first star playing is skilled and puts up a lot of points, whether in college or the OHL or WHL< whatever it may be.

You need to find your role and fit how you'll succeed in the NHL, because there's only one or two guys who will play on the power play and who are skilled enough to be able to do that. That's how my role as a player as sort of evolved over the last 14 years." 

"The guys here, there are some extreme high end talent," he said of joining the Leafs. "There's not many teams in the League that have the types of players that are on this team, and being able to try and win in Toronto for a fan base that is extremely passionate and cares about the Toronto Maple Leafs, obviously it comes with high expectations. There will be times when it goes well and times when maybe they're not happy with you. 

"That's sort of something that comes with playing in Toronto, I think. I've played in Canada for basically my whole career, definitely not the same level as Toronto but I'm used to it as well." 

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