Chris Tanev’s warrior-like performance during the Vancouver Canucks’ 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Friday night had many fans sharing similar thoughts about how valuable Tanev is to the team.
It’s a thankless job, but it’s one that Chris Tanev happily does. For him, laying down in front of a 100+ mph slap shot is just another day at the office; although, Tanev admits it’d be nice to block shots with his shinpads, rather than his face.
The Canucks’ last two games have seen Tanev exit with an injury, only to make a miraculous return a total of three times. The first time, against in Chicago, Tanev exited in the first period and did not return for the rest of the night. Canucks’ management and fans alike feared the worst after seeing a player like Tanev, who has battled injuries in the past, have to exit a game.
The Canucks called up Jalen Chatfield the next day, but Tanev shocked everyone when he said that he was good to go for the second leg of the Canucks’ back-to-back in Winnipeg. Then he fearlessly blocked a one-timer from Patrik Laine that left him hobbling around the ice on one leg, trying to defend without a stick.
Tanev went to the Canucks’ dressing room, but once he found out it wasn’t broken, he was right back out there, doing whatever he could to help his team win. For Tanev, that means blocking shots, and wouldn’t you know it, in his first shift back, Tanev was doing just that as if he had forgotten about the shot that immobilized him just 10 minutes prior.
Perhaps this tweet from TSN 1040’s Jason Brough sums it up best:
Tanev as a young boy...
— Jason Brough 🙁 (@SadClubCommish) November 9, 2019
“Chris, the stove is hot. Be careful.”
*Tanev touches stove anyway*
“See? Lesson learned.”
*Tanev puts other hand on stove*
Tanev then didn’t come out with his team to start the third period, but miraculously didn’t miss a shift. When Quinn Hughes hopped over the boards, the end at Bell MTS Place that lead to the visitor’s dressing room swung open, and out came Chris Tanev.
It’s a shame this wasn’t a home game, or a game with more Canucks fans in the crowd, because Tanev would have surely gotten a standing ovation. Instead, fans took to Twitter to show him love, and his teammate, Troy Stecher gave a small glimpse during the second intermission into what his teammates thought of Tanev’s heroics.
"“He’s just a savage. I can’t say enough good things about him; just as a person, he’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had. Any time you see one of your teammates do that night after night, you just have so much respect for him. He’s a warrior, and he’s amazing at what he does.” -Troy Stecher"
The high praise for Tanev from his teammates continued after the game, but Tanev shrugged it all off. Again, it’s just another day at the office for The Savage Warrior:
Stecher on Tanev:
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) November 9, 2019
He’s a savage
Benn on Tanev:
He’s an animal
Sutter on Tanev:
He’s the ultimate warrior
Tanev on Tanev:
It’s the NHL, everybody does it#canucks
Tanev deserves every bit of love he’s getting from Canucks fans, as the veteran defender has found success playing on a defence pairing with rookie Quinn Hughes. The two have looked good alongside one another, and as Hughes proclaimed back in October, Canucks fans have yet to see just how good Tanev is.
Although he seldom drops the gloves, there should be little doubt that Tanev is one of the toughest Canucks of all time.