The Toronto Maple Leafs may soon be getting a big boost on the blue line down the stretch.
Head coach Craig Berube told reporters on Wednesday that Chris Tanev is improving every day and is getting close to returning.
"He's close, I'd say. He's getting better. He's improving every day," Berube said. "We'll just have to see. I don't really have a timeline yet."
The coach also said Tanev is listed as day-to-day and they'll make a decision on Thursday about his status against the Florida Panthers.
The 35-year-old defenceman has been sidelined since Feb. 25 when he suffered an upper-body injury against the Boston Bruins when he took a hit from centreman John Beecher. He was reportedly seen leaving the arena in a sling.
Tanev has been a key piece along Toronto's blue line this season, tallying two goals and 15 assists across 57 games for the Maple Leafs.
Toronto bolstered its back end at Friday's trade deadline, however, adding defenceman Brandon Carlo from the Bruins.
With Tanev out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Colorado Avalanche, Carlo led all Maple Leafs in ice time (22:04) and penalty-kill time (3:31) in his debut.
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