The calls for the Toronto Maple Leafs to improve their defensive corps have been consistent in the past decade or so of Maple Leafs hockey. Whether it’s the “sign Jeff Finger to a four-year contract” era or the “pair Morgan Rielly with Matt Hunwick” era, there have always been and will always be Leafs fans mentally pairing a B-level prospect of their choosing with a couple of drafts picks in exchange for that big, sturdy, stay at home defenceman.
The Leafs did their best to address this situation in the offseason, signing hometown boy Chris Tanev to a six-year contract and recent Stanley Cup winner Oliver Ekman-Larsson to a four-year contract to stabilize their back end. Tanev specifically is somebody who feels like he has been sought after by the team forever. There were rumours last season that the Leafs were hot in pursuit of one of him or Nikita Zadorov back when they were both on the Calgary Flames, and then they found themselves linked to Tanev once again at the trade deadline before he eventually ended up with the Dallas Stars. According to former Leafs defenceman Cory Cross, who played for the team from 1999 until 2002, Tanev plays a similar game to a former teammate of his.
On the most recent episode of Leafs Morning Take, Cross joined Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill to discuss his playing career, playing under Pat Quinn, and he touched on the current Leafs team as well. He singled out the signing of Tanev as a favourite of his and compared him to former Leaf Dmitri Yushkevich.
“I love Tanev. If he can stay healthy, he’s an absolute beast. Fans are gonna love him. He’s like the Dmitri Yushkevich in my day. Just, blood and guts, he blocks everything. He’s gonna really help that team.”
Cross also praised the Ekman-Larsson addition as well as the signing of Jani Hakanpaa, which is still up in the air following leaked reports about his knee injury earlier in the summer.
Whether you agree with the money and term or not, Tanev instantly gives Morgan Rielly the best hypothetical defensive partner he’s had since he’s been a Leaf and somebody who will help stabilize their defensive corps, and more specifically, a penalty kill that was in shambles for most of last season. And, for older fans who don’t have time to watch games around the league with regularity, the comparison to Yushekvich is a fond one and a good reference point for anyone who doesn’t know what to expect from Tanev.
You can watch the full interview below:
