Maple Leafs place multiple players in injured reserve

The Leafs officially placed both Chris Tanev and Dakota Joshua on injured reserve on Tuesday evening, confirming that each will miss at least one week.

The move formalizes what had already become clear over the last few days, that Toronto is suddenly navigating serious health concerns in the middle of its lineup.

Joshua's situation is the most alarming. The forward remains hospitalized in Detroit after suffering a kidney injury that involved internal bleeding. The injury occurred during the Leafs' 3-2 overtime loss to the Red Wings on Sunday, a game that now feels secondary given the severity of the outcome.

Joshua did not travel home with the team and has remained under medical observation since. There is no timeline yet for his return.

Internal bleeding related to organ trauma removes any short-term hockey discussion from the equation, and the Leafs have rightly focused on care and stability rather than recovery estimates. Joshua has been an important physical presence for Toronto, providing forecheck pressure and net front work that balances a skill heavy roster.

Tanev's placement on injured reserve comes with far more uncertainty. The veteran defenseman is dealing with an unspecified lower-body injury, and while the team has not confirmed severity, concern is growing.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman implied that Tanev may be in line to miss time, raising the possibility that this injury could linger longer than initially expected. There has been no official confirmation of a long-term absence, but the implication alone shifts expectations around Toronto's blue line depth. Thankfully, it's not believed to be related to his previous head injuries.

From a fan perspective, this stretch feels heavy. Losing one contributor is manageable, losing two in very different and serious ways is destabilizing. Joshua's health transcends hockey, while Tanev's status threatens on ice stability.

That's on top of also missing Brandon Carlo and Anthony Stolarz.

The Leafs now face a roster puzzle with limited clarity. Call-ups can fill minutes, but not roles, and the margin tightens quickly in a competitive Eastern Conference.

There is no rush, no deadline, and no expectation beyond health. The hope is simple and sincere. May Dakota Joshua recover fully and return when his body allows, and may Chris Tanev's injury prove less severe than feared.