Leafs provide official update on Chris Tanev following first full contact practice

Fans of the Maple Leafs were elated to see injured veteran Chris Tanev shed his non-contact red jersey on Monday at practice in favour of a regular black jersey befitting a healthy Leafs defenseman.

They were even happier to see Tanev skating on a regular rush, with a regular top-6 D partner, and taking contact for the first time since suffering a head injury against the Philadelphia Flyers on Novemver 1st, which resulted in him being stretchered off the ice in just his 1st game back from another head injury.

The Leafs are very banged up on the blueline at the moment, so any progress is great to see, and it's even more encouraging when its arguably their best overall defender.

As far as the team's update on where Tanev stands and when he might return, well, those waters remain a little more murky.

Following practice on Monday, Leafs head coach Craig Berube told reporters that it was only Tanev's first practice back with contact and that he is not an option for Tuesday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

When asked the follow-up question about whether we could see Tanev play before Christmas, Berube did his best to temper those expectations, remaining very non-committal about Tanev's more immediate status.

The fact that Tanev is even in consideration to return this season at all is a testament to his toughness and perseverance.

There were reports circulating in recent weeks that the issue that he's been dealing with is similar to the one that ended Jake Muzzin's career, so to see him preparing for a return at all certainly makes you feel thankful that he was able to avoid a similar fate.