‘I Feel Lіke Our Gаmes Gel Pretty Well’: Mарle Leаfs Defensemаn Cһrіs Tаnev Exсіted About Potentіаl Defensіve Pаіrіng wіtһ Morgаn Rіelly
Since the Toronto Maple Leafs traded for and signed defenseman Chris Tanev, excitement has grown about the potential of a top pairing featuring Tanev and Morgan Rielly. Over the first two days of on-ice training camp, that optimism has only continued to grow.
The two defensemen, who shared a blueline during Canada’s gold medal victory at the 2016 World Hockey Championships, may find themselves skating side by side once again – this time in Maple Leafs blue and white.
Tanev, who met with reporters on Friday following the team’s on-ice session, spoke highly of the chemistry between him and Rielly, reflecting on their past experience together.
“I think we've played together before, obviously not at the NHL level on a different stage, but I feel like our games gel pretty well. So good to be with him for the last two days, but we'll see what happens going forward here,” Tanev said after practice.
Rielly has also reflected on their past success, noting how Tanev’s arrival strengthens the Leafs’ defensive core. Moreover, Rielly spoke to reporters at the team’s media availability on Wednesday, emphasizing how important his presence will be in Toronto for the long haul.
Specifically, Rielly identified Tanev as a “great guy, a great teammate” who will consistently improve the d-core, special teams, and the club overall. Previously spending an entire week skating with the veteran defenseman ahead of training camp, Rielly seems elated to potentially being paired with what could be the best partner he’s had in his tenure in Toronto.
“I think he's just a great piece. I think any team in the league that adds Chris Tanev to their D-Core immediately becomes much stronger,” said Rielly.
“I had a chance to play with him before at the World Championship and so I know him. He's a great guy, a great teammate. So I was just very excited. I think that I processed that there's a chance that I might have a chance to play with him. But ultimately, the overarching thought was just that he just made our team better. There's no two ways about it… It's been great. I spent a whole week skating with him. And again, I was looking forward to starting the camp.”
Even the captain, Auston Matthews, chimed in on Tanev’s impact on Friday, praising the 34-year-old for his all-around game and pesky defensive play. Matthews' comments came after learning that Tanev had expressed admiration for both his and winger Mitch Marner’s performance, noting their standout play during the first two days of on-ice activities.
“I'd say the same about him (Tanev),” Matthews said. “I think a lot of times you play against certain guys, and I think for him, and he's been in the West most of the time that I've played against him. So when you skate with him, you realize just how good he is. He's obviously very experienced and been around a long time. But I think offensively, I didn't realize how well he can play offensively and transport the puck and move, and then obviously just defensively, he's so sound."
Matthews also emphasized Tanev’s knack for disrupting opposing offenses, praising his defensive instincts, particularly his effective use of the stick in puck battles. One could say it’s a case of iron sharpening iron.
“His stick is very annoying, just the way he gets sticks on pucks and knocks pucks out of the air and stuff like that. He makes it really hard to kind of pass through him. But yeah, it's been great going up against him during camp and just trying to push each other in different ways.”
As the Leafs continue training camp, all eyes will be on the potential Tanev-Rielly pairing. While it remains to be seen whether the duo will skate together in the regular season, the early signs point towards that happening given their already strong connection.
